Crime & Safety

5-Alarm Fire in East Hampton Quickly Knocked Down Overnight

With no hydrants, tankers from area departments called in to help bring water.

Firefighters from five different departments were up overnight helping to bring water to a house fire in East Hampton.

East Hampton Fire Department Chief Tom Bono said a call came in from the homeowner that 168 Two Holes of Water Road, on the corner of Whooping Hollow Road, was on fire on Thursday at about 12:30 a.m. When he got there, he found two rooms were on fire inside the house and the deck was ablaze. The flames were already through the roof, he said.

"The residents got out, no problems," Bono said.

Firefighters were able to knock down the fire within 15 minutes, he said. "The guys did an awesome stop. They kept it contained to those couple of rooms."

The East Hampton Town Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause.

The chief immediately called for the Rapid Intervention Team from Sag Harbor Fire Department, in case firefighters battling the flames needed to be rescued.

He also requested a tanker truck from Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton's fire departments. A little bit later, he called for Amagansett and Springs fire departments to send tankers, as well. The Springs Fire Department stood-by at East Hampton's firehouse with the tanker and an engine.

"There's no hydrants in that area — a few cisterns, but no hydrants — so we had to use a dump tank for a water source," Bono said.

About 40 to 50 firefighters from East Hampton responded, along with manpower from the other departments. The East Hampton Village Ambulance Association assessed firefighters at the scene.

No injuries were reported, the chief said.

Firefighters remained on scene until about 2:30 a.m., despite knocking down the fire quickly. "The rest was overhaul," he explained.

While firefighters saved the house, the house is not livable, Bono said due to smoke and water damage, as well as the hole in the roof.

The Ladies Auxiliary also responded to provide Gatorade and water to firefighters.


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