Firefighters battle early morning fire

-photo provided

by Phyllis Larabie

-photo by Ed Donnelly

An early morning fire on Friday, May 8 destroyed a garage located at 61 Lake Simond Road.

The Tupper Lake Fire Department responded at 2:46a.m. for a structure fire that was called in by multiple neighbors.

When firefighters arrived on scene they found the garage to be fully engulfed with flames and a home in close proximity to the garage along with a 100-pound propane tank. Firefighters quickly started to apply water to the house and the propane tank to try and cool them down.

The home, owned by Charles Milich, Jr., was unoccupied at the time of the fire and was under construction.

The home sustained minor charing and the outer panes of the windows were busted due to the extensive heat. Chief Royce Cole stated, “I considered it a great save due to how close the fire building was to the house.” And the 100 lb propane tank that overheated and released its pressure, sending flames 20 feet into the air which definitely got everyone's attention, state Chief Cole.

Tupper Lake Fire Department responded with two trucks and were on scene for approximately three hours.

Mutual aid from Piercefield Fire Department was called to stand by at the Tupper Lake station. Tupper Lake Rescue and Tupper Lake Electric Department also responded to the scene.