Update: Wading River house fire extinguished, another house also damaged

Update (March 5, 2:10 p.m.): Firefighters quickly put out the fire at 29 Sylvan Drive in Wading River before it spread to the rest of the house.

According to Riverhead Town Fire Marshal Chief Craig Zitek, a tree trimmer was working when a branch fell on a wire, causing a “drop neutral,” a term for when the voltage fails to divide into electrical breaks, that sparked the fire at 29 Sylvan Drive.

Wading River Fire Chief Kevin McQueeney said five houses in the neighborhood appeared to have some sort of fire.

Fire officials were searching the neighborhood looking for any other damage.

The PSEG-Long Island outage map shows there are five customers without power in the area.

Originally (March 5, 1:47 p.m.): A fire broke out at 29 Sylvan Drive in Wading River Tuesday afternoon, brining out firefighters from several fire departments.

A neighbor called 911 to report flames were coming from the house around 1 p.m., according to chatter on the police scanner.

The first responding units found heavy fire on one corner of the house and in the attic, responding units reported.

There was reportedly concern of an occupant was inside, but a Wading River fire chief searched the house and didn’t find anyone.

Shortly after the first responding units arrived on scene they found small pockets of fire on at least one other property, near where the electrical service enters the house. PSEG-Long Island was called to respond.

The Wading River Fire Department requested help from neighboring agencies, including an engine from Riverhead Fire Department, a ladder from the Ridge Fire Department and the rapid intervention team from Rocky Point Fire Department.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information when it becomes available.

Photo caption: Firefighters extinguished a fire at a house at a house on Sylvan Drive in Wading River. (Credit: Tim Gannon)