On Friday September 12, 2003 at approximately 6:40 a.m. the Mechanicville Police Department recieved a 911 call reporting a house fire at 45 Leonard St. Upon receipt of the call, the police dispatcher immediately dispatched The Mechanicville Fire Department for a fully involved structure fire. The building was a 2 story brick structure with multiple apartments. Upon his arrival, Car 39 reported heavy smoke and fire showing with possible victims trapped and immediately requested a second alarm to be transmitted bringing in the Hemstreet Park and Hillcrest Fire Departments to the scene with Engine Tankers. Further investigation revealed that all residents were accounted for.

An initial attack proved unsuccessful as firefighters realized how well advanced the fire was. All firefighters were pulled from the structure and a defensive operation was initiated with additional alarms bringing a Ladder Truck from the Round Lake Fire Department and a Rescue Truck from the Arvin Hart Fire Company. Further mutual aid assignments were requested to fill stations. These assignments were met by the Stillwater, Halfmoon, Melrose, and Schaghticoke Fire Departments. All of the mutual aid units served to compliment the 2 Engine Tankers and 1 Ladder Truck from the City of Mechanicville. During the fire, the Stillwater, Arvin Hart, and Melrose Departments responded to a 2 car motor vehicle accident with entrapment on Round Lake Ave.

The fire was difficult to extinguish due to the heavy building construction and multiple roof layers. Despite these factors, the fire was under control within a few hours. After almost 15 hours, firefighters were released from the scene and the building was deemed a complete loss. The above picture and those following show the initial conditions before the arrival of the fire department as taken by neighbors Danielle and Adam Erno. As depicted, it is obvious that the building was well involved before fire crews arrived. The pictures then continue into the firefighting operations.

A special thanks to Danielle and Adam Erno of Warsaw Ave. for their photographs.