Chief: Firefighters Felt Like They Were Burning

Firefighters quickly extinguished at on Tuesday night, but after they did so, five of them came out with signs something was wrong.

"They felt like they were burning -- like their skin was burning," said Chief Ray Harden.

Five interior firefighters from East Hampton were sent to Southampton Hospital and all were released last night, Harden said. He said they were treated with oxygen and their blood was checked.

What caused the firefighters to feel so sick is still under investigation. East Hampton Village Fire Marshal Ken Cullum said Wednesday morning that he is also trying to pinpoint the cause of the fire, as well as identifying the fumes, which could range from refrigerant to insulation.

The first firefighter came out and said, "'I think I'm burned,' We thought maybe he had burnt his ear or something because of the flames," Harden said on Wednesday. Three others didn't feel well -- they were coughing, Harden said. "We said, 'What is going on? Let's get out of the building."

The chief said he'd never before smelled anything like the smoke coming out of the store. "You could almost taste it," he said, adding that it was difficult to describe.

He said the firefighters that came out complained of the burning sensation in their nose and on their neck and hands.

The Hazmat team was called to the scene to wash the firefighters' equipment down with soap and water. All gear worn that night was also taken to the dry cleaners, Harden said.

Fire department coordinator Bruce Bates said East Hampton "got it knocked down in short order."

The fire itself was extinguished within 10 or 15 minutes of the initial call at 7:24 p.m. Harden said when he arrived on scene the flames were already though the roof of the market, which was damaged extensively inside, particularly in the kitchen area. He called for a tanker truck from and , while a Springs engine stood by at the East Hampton firehouse.

The market was closed at the time of the blaze.

While the smell traveled to as far away as Accabonac Road, Harden said air quality was not a concern.