OGDENSBURG — Firefighters battled a major fire at the former American Legion building in Ogdensburg Tuesday evening with its cause now under investigation.

The call came in at 4:41 p.m. about a reported structure fire at the corner of Greene and Franklin streets, the former American Legion Post 69 building at 328 Franklin St., which is now vacant.

A press release Wednesday stated that upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire volume on the second story of the building.

Ogdensburg firefighters first responded to the call and an all-call for personnel was made as well as mutual aid with Morristown and Heuvelton.

“On duty crews initially made their way to the fire floor and were able to suppress a large volume of fire. Following the initial attack, firefighters were withdrawn from the building when it was determined that no life risks were reported and that the building had been vacant for years. Fire suppression continued from the outside of building with a focus on protecting neighboring properties,” the release stated.

Firefighters continued to extinguish the fire in the top level of the building, which at one point had flames reaching 30-feet into the air, according to reports at the scene.

While the fire itself burned for several hours, the fire was under control within 45 minutes. Crews remained on scene until around midnight to extinguish hotspots and hidden fire also, a “Firewatch” to prevent a rekindle was provided, according to the fire department.

No injuries were reported, according to the fire department. Also responding to the scene were the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and city Department of Public Works, Ogdensburg Code Enforcement, Heuvelton Fire and Auxiliary, Morristown Fire and Auxiliary, and County Car 9.

City police along with state fire investigators, are probing the cause of the fire that caused major fire, water and smoke damage to the building.

The fire department in the press release states that the building “has been vacant and abandoned for several years and has been cited throughout these years by Code Enforcement. Efforts to secure the structure routinely takes place, however it is often sought out as a place of refuge for our homeless population.”

City police at the scene stated that squatters may be to blame for the fire, which has been an issue at the location. In fact, an arrest was made of William LaRock, Ogdensburg, earlier Tuesday for trespassing, according to city police.

In April of 2025, squatters caused a fire at an abandoned warehouse on Riverside Drive at the corner of Franklin Street. During that incident, firefighters rescued one person from the second story of the vacant and boarded up building, using ladders. The victim suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

Shortly after the building was torn down due to be unsafe. However, its remnants remain.

The American Legion Hanbidge Post 69 traced its roots in Ogdensburg back to 1919. It closed within the last decade due to a lack of members. The American Legion sold the Franklin Street building in 2012 due to the costs associated with its upkeep and is now privately owned, according to Watertown Daily Times archives.

The American Legion Post 69 reformed back in 2022 and meets at the Ogdensburg VFW Post 2936, 1112 Champlain St.

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