2 Houses Lost After Fire Erupts in Montauk Shores Complex Wednesday Morning

Update, 10:30 a.m.: A fire that broke out in the Montauk Shores Condominiums destroyed two small houses Wednesday morning, but firefighters were able to save several mobile homes from catching fire.

Montauk Fire Department Chief Richard Schoen said the two unoccupied houses were completely engulfed in flames when the fire department was called to the oceanfront mobile home park off Deforest Road just before 6 a.m. "I live on the west end of Montauk and when I came over the crest by Surfside there was visible light on the horizon and it wasn't the sun," he said.

"We kept it from spreading to trailers. There were maybe five or six downwind," Schoen said. Firefighters wet those residences down with water, while others worked on extinguishing the flames.

The two houses, located about 150 feet from the dune line, were about 12 to 15 feet apart, the chief said, and he believes the fire started in the northern building and spread to the second one with the help of the northwest winds that were gusting about 20 mph at the time. Two tool sheds, behind the houses, were also lost.

The Amagansett Fire Department responded, along with East Hampton Fire Department's Rapid Intervention Team. The Springs Fire Department stood by at Amagansett's firehouse.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down within 35 to 45 minutes, Schoen said, though firefighters remained on scene for about two and a half hours, overhauling debris to check for pockets of fire. In fact, there was a small rekindle at about 8 a.m.

Water availability due to older lines was an issue, according to the chief. The department stretched quite a bit of hose line to a better hydrant on Ditch Plains Road. Tanker trucks also supplied water.

With freezing temperatures overnight, spilled water made for an even more treacherous scene. "Thankfully, no body got hurt," the chief said.

"The second building that burned is totally gone — there's nothing left," Schoen said. The house to the north was devastated, but there are still exterior walls standing, along with parts of the roof.

Firefighters checked all the residences in the area and most were unoccupied due to the time of year, the chief said. "Had it been the summer, it would be a different story."

The East Hampton Town Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the blaze. The chief suspects it is electrical.

Previously, 8:08 a.m.: A fire that reportedly destroyed one residence and spread to a neighboring one and a shed in the Montauk Shores Condominiums, a mobile home park complex in Montauk, brought out firefighters from several departments Wednesday morning .

The working structure fire was reported at 100 Deforest Road just before 6 a.m. Firefighters were wrapping up just before 8 a.m., though there was a small rekindling reported. Meanwhile, town fire marshals are set to begin their investigation into the fire's cause.

The Montauk Fire Department requested the East Hampton Fire Department's Rapid Intervention Team and the Amagansett Fire Department to respond to Montauk.

The Springs Fire Department stood by in Amagansett, but was released back in service at 7:50 a.m.

The Montauk Shores Condominiums is located on more than 20 acres on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was founded more than 65 yeas ago, according to its website.

The East Hampton Town Fire Marshal's office is on scene and will investigate the fire's cause.

Check back for more information as it becomes available. Have information? Email Taylor.Vecsey@patch.com.