Address: 10 Depot Street
Old Address: 10 Depot Street
Other names:
Year built: 1950
10 Depot Street was the site of a fire that killed a 15-year-old in 1995.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 31, 1995
Saranac Lake teen killed in fire
Officials sifting through ruins today
By The Enterprise Staff SARANAC LAKE - A fast-moving fire claimed the. life of a Saranac Lake teen-ager this morning, and volunteer firefighters, county, and state officials were still on the scene today attempting to determine the cause of the blaze.
The body of Paul Schlitt, a junior in the Saranac Lake school system, was removed from 10 Depot St. this morning, according to officials.
The building's owner, Ed Dukett, was on the scene today watching Saranac Lake firefighters' and New York State and Franklin County fire investigators scour the charred structure.
"The building doesn't mean anything," Dukett said. "It's the kid."
The teen-ager lived in an apartment on the second and third floor with his father, who was at work at the time of the blaze which occurred at about 12:30 a.m.
Schlitt, 15, was enrolled in the conservation program at the Adirondack Educational Center (BOCES) and an emergency assembly was held at 9 a.m. today at which time the students were informed about his death.
High School Principal Gerald Goldman told the Enterprise, "We have made arrangements for any affected students to meet with counselors after the assembly.” The principal said a significant group of kids were emotionally distraught after hearing about Schlitt's death, adding that the student was well-liked by his peers.
Fire officials said the apartment., was gutted, but the first floor, which had been previously occupied by a roofing company, only sustained water damage. No one else was injured in the blaze.
The cause of the fire was not known as of this morning, and fire officials would not say whether they suspect arson.
Saranac Lake Police Department officials also were not releasing any information on the fire, saying only that the investigation is continuing. But witnesses said they heard glass breaking at the structure, located behind the Stewart's Shop, just before flames came" shooting out of several upstairs windows.. An unidentified man came running from the vicinity of the. building, yelling that a fife had started and that there was at least one person in the apartment. A nearby neighbor then called the fire .department which quickly arrived on the scene,
The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad sent six trucks and about 25 members to the fire. Volunteers from the Paul Smiths-Gabriels, Bloomingdale, and Lake Placid fire departments assisted.
