An early morning fire engulfed an apartment building on Elm Street, resulting in the tragic loss of life of one unidentified resident. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department swiftly responded to the distress call at 11 Elm St. at 12:51 a.m. on Sunday, with three trucks and 15 dedicated members. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense smoke and flames, prompting the evacuation of seven residents, including two children aged 12 and 17, by village police and firefighters. These displaced individuals are currently receiving assistance from the Red Cross.

Regrettably, two feline companions perished in the blaze, while two others, Bootz and Tom Tom, remain missing. The identity of the deceased resident has not been disclosed as of Sunday afternoon. The body has been entrusted to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office for autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.

Chief Brendan Keough of the SLVFD reported that while the fire primarily affected a single apartment, the extent of damage extends throughout the attic and half of the building. Describing the damage as "pretty significant," Chief Keough noted the challenges posed by the building's age and structure.

The property, according to records from Franklin County Real Property Tax Services, is owned by Bob Decker, who possesses multiple apartment buildings across Saranac Lake.

Firefighters valiantly battled the blaze for nearly 10 hours, with the worst contained within the initial hour to an hour and 20 minutes. The arduous process of overhaul, essential for ensuring no remnants of fire, persisted due to the building's intricate three-level roofing system.

The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by authorities, including members of the state Office of Fire Prevention and Control, Franklin County fire investigators, and Saranac Lake village police.

In a display of community solidarity, a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to support one of the families affected by this devastating event. Contributions can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/displaced-single-mother-and-children.

Acknowledgment is extended to the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department and the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department for their invaluable mutual aid. Additionally, the Tupper Lake Fire Department provided standby support at the Saranac Lake fire station during the operation.

SLVFD resumed normal operations at 10:53 a.m. following the conclusion of their dedicated efforts.