Westhampton Beach Shop Owner 'Blown Away' By Extent Of Fire Damage

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — The owner of a shop on the ground floor of a Westhampton Beach building ravaged by fire Friday was left reeling when she surveyed the damage.

Alison Buck, who owns TOLA., said she wanted to thank all the firefighters, the fire marshal and the fire chief. "They were all absolutely amazing, as were the police and the Westhampton Beach community at large," she said.

However, what she found when she entered the store was daunting, she said.

"When I was finally able to get in my shop tonight, I was blown away by the extent of the damage. I’m not sure yet what it entails, but the road ahead will be a long one for sure."

The fire raged through the building on Main Street in Westhampton Beach Friday morning, leaving 17 residents displaced, officials said.

According to the Westhampton Beach Fire Department, the structure fire broke out at a building on Main Street at about 5:20 a.m.

Westhampton Beach Fire Department Third Assistant Chief Lewis Scott was the first at the scene, and he reported heavy interior and exterior fire on the two upper floors of the building, which contained a retail store, TOLA., on the ground level and apartments on the two floors above, officials said.

All the residents had self-evacuated and that there were no injuries, Scott said.

Westhampton Beach Village Mayor Ralph Urban said a total of 17 people were evacuated from the apartments.

Urban commended the Westhampton Beach Fire Department. "It could have been much worse. The Westhampton Beach Fire Department acted quickly and efficiently and called in support, which we all depend upon. Many other departments arrived in support. It was a very well-orchestrated effort, to put it out."

Of the fact that no injuries were reported, Urban said: "It is amazing. They were on the upper floors— the fire alarms did their job."

Chief Scott was joined at the scene shortly by First Assistant Chief Larry Saccente, Second Assistant Chief Jeff Wachenfeld, and Chief Darryl Schunk, who assumed command.
Courtesy Westhampton Beach Fire DepartmentThe fire proved to be difficult to extinguish, with a number of flare-ups occurring after it was apparently put out, officials said.

Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the one building, with adjacent structures left unscathed, officials said.

There was significant water damage to the first floor retail space, but firefighters said they attempted to limit the damage by covering merchandise where possible, officials said.

There were no reported injuries and the scene was eventually turned over to the Southampton Town Fire Marshal for investigation, officials said.

The firehouse was used as a shelter for the displaced residents, who were assisted by the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and the Red Cross.

After the fire, Chief Schunk reflected: "The crews made a great stop given the conditions they encountered. They definitely saved the adjacent buildings."

In addition to the chiefs, the department responded with two engines, a tower truck, and a fire police vehicle. Mutual aid was supplied by a number of East End departments. Center Moriches responded with a ladder truck, Quogue brought two engines, and Eastport supplied an engine. East Moriches brought a rescue truck, and East Quogue supplied an engine and a ladder truck.

Riverhead and Hampton Bays each brought an engine and the Flanders Fire Department stood standby at the Westhampton headquarters until they were relieved by the Southampton Fire Department, at which time they brought their engine to the scene. Quogue and Eastport sent fire police.

The Westhampton Beach Fire Department’s fire police closed Main Street from Sunset Avenue to Mill Road while firefighters battled the blaze.

They were assisted by the Westhampton Beach Village Police Department, the
Courtesy Westhampton Beach Fire Department, Westhampton Dunes constable, and the New York State Police. The Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance was on scene with an ambulance, as were East Moriches Ambulance and East Quogue Ambulance. Shirley EMS responded with their rehab unit.

TOLA. also has locations in Bellport and Fire Island Pines.