Residents Evacuated From Water Mill House Fire: Officials

WATER MILL, NY — Residents were evacuated after a fire broke out in a Water Mill home Saturday, officials said.

According to Chris Brenner, ex-Chief and current public information officer for the Southampton Fire Department, at around 5 p.m., a call came in about an automatic smoke alarm on Rosewood Court. A chief and captain arrived on scene and, in under four minutes, began investigating; they found a light smoke condition on the second floor inside the residence, Brenner said.

Further investigation resulted in the smoke conditions worsening, with smoking coming from inside the walls — the occupants of the home were evacuated, Brenner said. There were no reported injuries, he said.

Fire department crews found active fire in the ceiling in the basement, as well as on the first floor — and smoke on all three floors of the home, he said.

1st Assistant Chief Richard Fowler initially was in charge of the scene and upgraded the alarm to a residential structure fire, calling for additional resources, Brenner said. Chief of Department Polis Walker was simultaneously handling a second call for a carbon monoxide emergency at a different address, along with an engine crew. Chief Walker arrived at the scene of the structure fire and worked with Fowler and 2nd Assistant Chief Kenneth Lockard overseeing fire operations, Brenner said.

Fire crews extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes and conducted salvage and overhaul, checking for further extension, he said.

Additional resources were provided by the North Sea Fire Department, Sag Harbor Fire Department, Bridgehampton Fire Department, Hampton Bays Fire Department, and Southampton Village Ambulance. Ex-Chief Joseph M. Riccardi of Southampton Volunteer Ambulance was in charge for that agency, Brenner said. Southampton Village Ambulance was also requested to stand by, Brenner said.

The scene was turned over to the Southampton Town fire marshal for investigation at about 8 p.m.