PAUL SMITHS — The Paul Smiths-Gabriels Volunteer Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 312 Keese Mills Road for an outshed that housed a wood boiler. There were no deaths or injuries reported, but the shed was a total loss.

The department was joined by the Saranac Lake and Bloomingdale volunteer fire departments and the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad, who responded to the scene on a mutual aid request.

The call was first reported at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday. PSGVFD responded with an engine truck, two tankers and one heavy rescue truck, along with 18 members. PSGVFD Chief Tom Tucker said the shed, which was approximately 10 feet by 25 feet, was thoroughly engulfed in flames when firefighters initially arrived on scene.

When firefighters first arrived, they stretched two hand lines to the scene and were able to quickly knock the bulk of the flames down and begin an extensive overhaul. Saranac Lake Volunteer Firefighters established a draw site for water at the Keese Mills Road bridge near the Paul Smith’s College Draft Horse barn — about 0.9 miles from the structure fire.

Tucker said the response took about three hours and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department responded to Saranac Lake’s fire station on a mutual aid request to provide standby as the SLVFD responded to the structure fire.