Fire Chief: Rain Storm, Address Confusion Quickly Overcome at Montauk Blaze Thursday

A on Thursday afternoon presented some obstacles for firefighters, including the weather and an address confusion.

Still, Chief Richard Schoen said the fire was knocked down quickly and without any injuries. "You can't ask for much more than that," he said on Friday. 

The chief reported that "there was a little confusion as to the proper address," but that it didn't cause a delay in the arrival of services. Dispatchers initially reported the fire as located at 5 North Farragut Road. However, the correct address turned out to be on the other side of Flamingo Avenue at 5 Farragut Road. "It wasn't too bad because you could see the smoke from the road," he said. 

Captain Mike Tracey, whose department oversees dispatching services for the Montauk Fire Department, confirmed there was a confusion over the address, but that there was no delay. Police arrived on scene first at 2:05 p.m., he said.

Tracey explained that Bimson gave her correct address, but when the dispatcher asked for her nearest cross street, they thought she said "Benson," as in Benson Drive in Montauk, which is not near either Farragut streets.

Faced with conflicting information and the noise on the caller's end, the dispatcher referred to the address that came up on the 911 Fire Rescue Emergency Services screen, which was 5 North Farraugt Road, according to Tracey.

It was pouring rain when the call came over just after 2 p.m. Gail Bimson called 911 from inside her house when a lamp in her bedroom caught fire and spread to other items, Schoen said. "Dispatchers told her to get out of the house, that the fire department had been called," he said.

She didn't hang the phone up and dispatchers heard her remain in the house, he said. "Nobody was trapped," Schoen said, referring to an initial report. When he arrived, she was in the driveway with her dog.

About 40 to 45 members responded, and the 's Rapid Intervention Team crossed the stretch to standby in case interior firefighters needed help.

Firefighters vented the fire through the roof and a window. Schoen reported there was "extensive damage on the inside," but said the house could be repaired. They were on scene until almost 4 p.m.

The was called to the scene, as well. That office was closed on Friday due to Veterans Day, so the fire marshal was not available to comment.

"No fire is a good fire," Schoen said. "We put out the fire in the rain and fast, so it's good."