By MATTHEW LINDSEY

POTSDAM -- An electrical malfunction is believed to be the cause of the fire that left at least seven people homeless early Monday morning, according to St. Lawrence County Fire Investigator Joe Lacks.

“A forensic expert will be coming in to confirm…but some burnt wiring leads us to believe that it was possibly electrical in nature,” he said.

The wiring in question was from a paint stirring machine which was reportedly still plugged in at Scanlon’s Auto Parts, 6 Depot St.

Scanlon’s closed months ago but much of the inventory still remained in the store.

Of the at least seven people left homeless, at least one female had to jump barefoot from the rooftop to a lower-tier to escape the fire, Lacks said.

“Potsdam Fire Department made a quick knockdown of the fire and were able to save all tenants,” he said.

Multiple pets reportedly died in the fire including cats, birds and reptiles.

Both Scanlon’s Auto Parts and the three stories of apartments suffered from heavy smoke and heat damage from the blaze, Lacks said.

The fire was first reported by a tenant who smelled smoke, Lacks said.

Several fire companies were on the scene. Potsdam Assistant Fire Chief Danielle Rose said they got the call at around 5 a.m. They were followed quickly by departments from West Potsdam, Norwood, Hannawa Falls, West Stockholm and Parishville, while Norfolk volunteers stood by at the Potsdam station.

The downtown area was full of firefighters, hoses, trucks, lights and detours for a couple hours as several area volunteer fire departments worked to get the upper hand against the blaze.

About 50 firefighters and rescue personnel were on scene with the sheriff's deputies directing traffic. Firefighters were seen battling flames on the roof around 6:30 a.m. Fire damage is evident in the store, and windows were broken out on a first floor apartment and the window frame was blackened. Smoke was still being drawn out of the building by fans at 8 a.m.

No injuries were reported.

Volunteers from the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to three people.

The Red Cross provided financial assistance for food and clothing to three adults from two separate apartments affected by the fire.

Volunteers also arranged temporary shelter for one of the residents. All three were given blankets and Red Cross comfort kits containing basic personal care items.