When firefighters were first called to a house fire in the town of LeRay, too few volunteers showed up.
Fire officials say that's becoming a common problem.
The call came in around 8 a.m. to the fire at Timothy's Smith's home on County Route 46 near Evans Mills.
The call went first to the Evans Mills Fire Department, but officials quickly realized the response wasn't enough.
Five neighboring departments were called in, including Fort Drum.
Fire officials admit the response could have been better, but people do help when they can.
However, finding more volunteers is an ongoing battle.
"One of the hardest things for us is volunteers, just to get them here," said Shawn Rutmanis, second assistant fire chief at Evans Mills.
"They're all working, everybody's got jobs," he said. "Just to get them to come and be able to respond, it's tough. Thank God for the neighboring fire departments."
The two people who were at home when the fire broke out got out safely.
Officials will assess the damage, but they say they doubt if the three people who live there would stay in the house Monday night.
Rutmanis said the fire started on the second floor or in the attic.
The fire was containted to that area.
The rest of the some sustained smoke and water damage.
Volunteers from Theresa, Calcium, Pamelia, Fort Drum, Philadelphia and Evans Mills responded to the blaze.
