Crime & Safety

Lightning Strikes Inlet Seafood During Thunderstorm in Montauk

Little damage to the building, Montauk fire chief says.

This story was originally published on Sept. 2.

While things tend to slow down on Labor Day, Inlet Seafood Restaurant on East Lake Drive in Montauk had a jolt of activity when lightning struck, starting a small fire Monday afternoon.

Montauk Fire Department Chief Richard Schoen said lighting hit the side of the restaurant's building during a thunderstorm. "Patrons said it was the loudest sound they ever heard," Schoen said.

The department was called out to the restaurant, which overlooks Montauk Harbor and Block Island Sound, at 12:39 p.m.

"It started a little ember, but then we had torrential rain following it," Schoen said, adding that the fire went out on its own. No one was hurt.

The fire department responded to find "little, if any, damage," he said. Firefighters used thermal cameras to check behind the walls, to ensure there were no pockets of fire.

Fire trucks were back at headquarters by about 1:15 p.m.

According to weather.com, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the day.

No one could be reached at Inlet Seafood because the phone lines there appeared to be down, however, the restaurant is open for dinner on Monday.

Located at 541 East Lake Drive, the seven-acre property has the largest commercial fishing dock on the East End at 200 feet with more than 28 deep water boat slips. It was placed on the market for $21 million in August 2012. It is owned by six commercial fishermen.

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