Police probe house fire, don’t suspect arson
Police are investigating a house fire that destroyed a house in Riverhead’s Millbrook Gables neighborhood between East Main Street and Route 58 Wednesday morning.
Arson is not suspected in the fire, police said.
Riverhead volunteers were called to the fire at the one-story house at 79 Phillips Street about 7:30 a.m. No one was home when police and fire crews arrived on the scene, fire officials said.
Flanders firefighters were also called to provide aid as firefighters battled the blaze a few dozen yards from a stolen propane fuel truck that had been parked in the property’s driveway.
Riverhead ambulance volunteers were also on scene as a precaution.
The fire tore through the first floor of the home and spread into the basement, officials said, adding that the house was likely unsalvageable.
“It’s a total loss, I would say,” said Riverhead second assistant fire chief Kevin Brooks at the scene. He declined to comment further because of the ongoing police investigation.
The cause of the fire had not yet been determined, police said. The property was wrapped in caution tape as a Riverhead fire marshal investigated.
Police said the owner of the All Island Fuel truck from Shirley had been notified and was coming to the scene. Riverhead police said the truck had been stolen from within Suffolk County police’s jurisdiction.
A representative for All Island Fuel could not be reached for comment.
According to the tax roll, 79 Phillips Street is owned by 56-year-old Gail Jones who, according to voter records, also lives at that address.
No one was hurt in the fire, fire officials said.
