Crime & Safety

Workers Extinguish Small Fire at Shagwong in Montauk on Tuesday Night

Montauk Fire Department chief said it was fortunate that the fire didn't occur in the middle of the night.

A cigarette butt rolling in off the sidewalk into was one scenario that Chief Robert Gosman said could have caused a small fire in the front on Tuesday evening.

Workers at the restaurant had already extinguished the fire when fire officials arrived after flames and "a burnt wood smell" were reported at 5:32 p.m., Gosman said.

Initially, the fire was thought to be due to an electrical problem, and that's what an report states. However, Gosman said, "It didn't have that electrical smell."

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"There was some discussion that a cigarette butt had rolled in the front door -- there was a lot of wind," he said. "It could have gotten wedged between the floor boards."

The fire department searched the basement and used a thermal imaging camera to ensure there was no fire behind the walls. An engine and about 15 volunteers, with more standing by at the firehouse, were at the restaurant for about 15 minutes.

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It was business as usual at Shagwong's the rest of the night.

"We're very fortunate something like this happened during business hours and not in the middle of the night," Gosman said.

The was not called to investigate, according to Fire Marshal Thomas Baker.

Management at the restaurant could not be immediately reached for comment. The story will be updated when East Hampton Patch gets a hold of them.


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