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Fire rips through four-unit apartment building at Clarkson University in Potsdam

Posted 3/28/17

Updated at 5:55 a.m., Wednesday, March 29 to correct number of students displaced and add more information. POTSDAM – A four-unit apartment building at Clarkson University was destroyed by fire …

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Fire rips through four-unit apartment building at Clarkson University in Potsdam

Posted

Updated at 5:55 a.m., Wednesday, March 29 to correct number of students displaced and add more information.

POTSDAM – A four-unit apartment building at Clarkson University was destroyed by fire early Tuesday evening.

[img_assist|nid=194966|title=Firefighters examine damage to the front first floor of a Riverside Apartments building seriously damaged by fire|desc=|link=none|align=right|width=300|height=390]Dozens of firefighters and rescue personnel responded to Riverside Apartments after flames leapt from the rear roof of the structure shortly before 7 p.m.

Click here to view a video of the fire posted on YouTube.

Clarkson Avenue was closed to through traffic as firefighters battled flames and smoke in the two-story building. The apartment building, which houses upper-class students, is across the street from the home of Clarkson Pres. Tony Collins, who watched the event unfold from the sidewalk on Clarkson Avenue.

Firefighters used the ladder truck to pour water onto the roof. A front portion of the building was also extensively damage the front of the building.

In addition to the Potsdam Volunteer Fire Department, the West Potsdam and Hannawa Falls fire departments responded to the scene. Also responding were the Potsdam Volunteer Rescue Squad, village police, St. Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies and Enbridge gas employees.

An automated fire alarm activated at 6:40 p.m. Riverside Apartment Building #1 and residents were evacuated safely, according to university officials.

Students were evacuated from not only the affected unit, but eventually all apartment units, as a safety precaution.

The 13 students who lived in the building will be housed for the night at the Clarkson Inn, university officials said. Permanent housing arrangements are being made for the students.

The other five four-apartment units were not damaged and students started returning to them, upon permission from the fire department around 9:30 p.m., university officials said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

 Clarkson University wished to thank all area first responders for their swift response.