Fire destroys an Aubuchon Hardware store in Upstate N.Y.
Aubuchon Company reported a recent fire completely burned through its hardware store in Saranac Lake, New York, resulting in a total loss for the store as well as the neighboring business.
“Early Wednesday morning, January 25, a fire spread to our store in Saranac Lake, which is near Lake Placid, resulting in a total loss. Most importantly, no one got hurt,” said Will Aubuchon, president and CEO, Aubuchon Company.
The fire was discovered by Saranac Lake Village Department of Public Works employees going in for their nearby shift, said the firm.
The Saranac Lake Fire Department was joined by multiple neighboring fire departments from Franklin, Essex, and Clinton Counties to fight the flames.
Saranac Lake Fire Department Chief, Brendan Keogh, said that the metal roofs on the building made it unusually difficult to gain access to the fire itself, said the company. By the time the fire was out most of the metal roof was completely burned through.
Chief Keogh confirmed to the Aubuchon Company that the fire began just before 3:30 a.m.
By 7 a.m. there were more than a dozen fire departments on the scene from Tupper Lake, Bloomingdale, Lake Placid, Paul Smith’s-Gabriels, Keene, Malone, Wilmington, Chateaugay, Hogansburg, Plattsburgh and Upper jay, among others, said the company.
“We are grateful for all the outstanding fire departments across Northern New York that rushed into action to fight this large fire. The Saranac Lake Fire Department was on the scene just two minutes after getting the call,” said Aubuchon.
“And thanks to a heroic rescue by our manager Rich Hough, our two store cats, named Harry and Lloyd, are safe and sound,” said Aubuchon.
Harry and Lloyd are often referred to as small town celebrities, said the company, adding that they were the only ones in the building at the time of the fire. The store manager and two firefighters safely brought the two cats out of the building.
“Nearby Aubuchon stores in Lake Placid and Tupper Lake will be hosting our Saranac team for the time being while we look for temporary space,” he said.
Fire investigators were on the scene looking into the cause of the fire, said the company. The New York Fire Marshal is leading the investigation. The company also said it has been reported that the fire originated from a neighboring business then quickly spread to Aubuchon Hardware.
“We’ve seen a lot since 1908 and have always persevered. No matter what the world throws at us, we will continue to move forward,” said the company CEO.
“We plan to be back up and running in a temporary space soon and will build back bigger and better than ever before in our original location,” said Aubuchon.
