News

Jamesport firefighters make quick save; others hurt in Hampton Bays

Jamesport firefighters extinguished a blaze inside the walls of a Peconic Bay Boulevard house Sunday afternoon before the fire could spread.

The house was filled with smoke when Fire Department volunteers arrived at about 1:45 p.m., with fire spreading under the living room floor and into the walls, authorities said. The fire was brought under control “within minutes,” according to Jamesport fire officials.

Jamesport Chief Scott McKillop credited his firefighter’s ability to quickly locate the heart of the blaze inside the first floor walls.
Some 45 Jamesport firefighters responded to the call with two engines, a heavy rescue truck and assistance from the Mattituck Fire Department and Riverhead Police. Riverhead fire marshals were investigating the cause of the fire this week. There were no injuries.

A fire under a floor and inside walls can be treacherous for firefighters. Less than 12 hours after the Jamesport fire, two Hampton Bays firefighters were seriously injured while battling a blaze in a Quail Run house at 12:30 a.m. Monday when the first floor collapsed and they fell into the basement.

They were taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center by helicopter, having sustained no life-threatening injuries. Three other firefighters suffered less serious injuries and were treated at Southampton Hospital and released.
Flanders firefighters assisted in the blaze, which was brought under control about 2 a.m.

Southampton fire marshals were investigating.