The property is owned by J.D. Dattola Construction, L.L.C., a locally-owned general contracting business in Tupper Lake. The structure was formerly used as a garage and shop for the business. In addition to the building, two vehicles parked near the building were also destroyed. There were no injuries or deaths associated with the fire.

Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Chief Royce Cole said the department received an initial call for the fire at 2:52 a.m. When firefighters first arrived on the scene, flames had overtaken the structure.

he said.

Cole said firefighters had the scene under control around 5 a.m. Wednesday. He remained on scene until about 4 p.m. as he assisted investigators from state Office of Fire Prevention and Control. He said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Two vehicles parked near a garage and shop building were rendered a total loss. The property is owned by J.D. Dattola Construction LLC, a local general contracting group. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

he said.

Cole said the state fire officials did not provide a timeframe for how long the investigation might take.

Mutual aid was provided by the Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department. The Tupper Lake Volunteer EMS, Tupper Lake Village Police Department and State Police also provided assistance on the scene. Cole said that between the two departments, he estimated that there were between 25 and 30 firefighters on the scene Wednesday morning, although he did not have the exact number available at press time.

As firefighters contained the flames, Demars Boulevard — which is part of state Route 3 — was closed in both directions between its intersections with Santa Clara and Pleasant avenues. During the closure, traffic was rerouted using a detour.

Demars Boulevard reopened to tractor-trailers — as the detour route had tight corners that could accommodate passenger vehicles but were more difficult for the big rigs to negotiate — around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. It reopened to all traffic around 7 a.m. The scene remained active throughout the morning.

Smoke and flames engulfed a structure at 60 Demars Blvd. in Tupper Lake early Wednesday morning. (Provided photo — Royce Cole)

It is the community’s second fire in 24 hours. Yesterday, another large structure fire — which also did not have any injuries or deaths — destroyed a building at 41 Main St.

Cole said.

Tupper Lake Mayor Mary Fontana thanked — on behalf of herself and the village of Tupper Lake — first responders for their efforts, and lauded their actions.

she said.

Fontana was thankful that there were no injuries, but she said there was a palpable sense of loss in the community for the amount of property destroyed.

A pile of rubble is seen at 41 Main St. on Wednesday in Tupper Lake. The destruction was caused by a structure fire at the location Tuesday morning. There were no injuries from the fire and no other surrounding properties were damaged. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

she said.

Being a small town, however, she said also helped strengthen the community’s response to loss.

she said.

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Community support

A pile of rubble is seen at 41 Main St. on Wednesday in Tupper Lake. The destruction was caused by a structure fire at the location Tuesday morning. There were no injuries from the fire and no other surrounding properties were damaged. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

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Several local businesses and organizations offered support to first responders Wednesday. Among them, Raquette River Brewing offered a free drink to any first responder Wednesday and today.

the brewery posted on Facebook.

Co-owner Mark Jessie said seeing the first responders at work provided a reminder of the level of dedication and sacrifice demanded by the job.

he said.

Perk and Pine offered free coffee to first responders on Wednesday. Owner Beth Bedore said she was grateful for first responders’ around-the-clock dedication to Tupper Lake.

she said.

She said offering coffee to first responders was a simple gesture to express thanks as a community member.

she said.

Nearby Larkin’s Junction Depot provided free coffee and breakfast to first responders at the 41 Main St. fire and McDonald’s provided food during the 60 Demars Blvd. fire as first responders worked throughout the mornings.

Cole said first responders were thankful for the outpouring of support shown by the Tupper Lake community.

he said.