BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM — A SUNY Potsdam student faces arson charges following a Saturday night fire at VanHousen Hall that displaced a number of students.

Phonta Johnson of Buffalo,  has been charged with second and fourth degree arson and was arraigned early Tuesday morning in Norfolk  Town Court and jailed on $25,000 bail.

“Johnson is a transfer student to SUNY Potsdam who resided in Van Housen, and his room was where the fire originated. Pending his legal case he will be suspended from the College,” a statement from the college says.

Fire at VanHousen

Fire trucks plus emergency vehicles responded about 6:28 p.m. Saturday, according to student Zachariah Morehouse, who lives in Van Housen.

According to other students at the scene observing the response, Canton, Potsdam, West Stockholm, Hannawa Falls and Parishville fire departments were at the scene.

According to eyewitnesses, emergency personnel broke windows to vent the building and firefighters had accessed the Van Housen roof while responding to the fire, which appeared to be located on the third floor.

College officials reported the fire out around 8 p.m.

The investigation was overseen by the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. The Potsdam Fire Department managed the scene and emergency response.

Students settled

Students who resided at VanHousen were allowed back into their dorm rooms Sunday, and a portion of them will be allowed to stay.

For a few however on the third floor who lived in rooms near where the fire started, the college has found alternate accommodations in other residence halls.

“Most of the displaced students were provided with temporary accommodations in Draime Hall and Bowman Hall,” said Alexandra Jacobs Wilke, SUNY Potsdam director of public relations.

“All those living on the third floor are being provided with alternate accommodations — some in those same spaces in Draime, and others in long-term spaces we had available elsewhere.”

Wilke said an estimate on damages has yet to be determined.

In total 62 students were impacted by the fire, but all having been provided with living spaces.

Jacobs Wilke said the damage was isolated to a very small portion of the building due to fire doors working as intended.

“We wish to thank all of the law enforcement agencies and first responders who have worked so hard on this investigation and response, including SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton University Police, the Potsdam Fire Department, the St. Lawrence County Office of Emergency Services, the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police, the Potsdam Police Department and the State Office  of Fire Prevention and Control. Our thanks also goes to fire departments from Canton, Hannawa Falls, West Stockholm and Parishville who provided mutual aid responses to help stop the blaze, “  a statement from the college said.

The College  Counseling Center remains available to support students who have been under stress due to this incident.