Firefighters knocked down a working structure fire at an auto repair shop on Old Quogue Road in Riverside early this morning.
Riverhead Fire Department responded to the call at 6:07 a.m., Chief Piotr Kurzyna said in a phone interview this morning.
First Assistant Chief Sean Brennan was the first chief on the scene and observed heavy smoke coming from within the building. He immediately radioed dispatch to put out a call for a working structure fire, Kurzyna said.
A rapid intervention team from Jamesport Fire Department responded to the scene, along with 30 Riverhead Fire Department firefighters with two engines two ladder trucks and five fire police patrol vehicles, Kurzyna said.
Flanders Fire Department stood by at Riverhead’s headquarters.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Southampton Town Fire Marshal’s Office and Southampton Town Police, the chief said.
Firefighters had the fire under control in about 20 minutes, Kurzyna said.
“It was a great stop,” he said. “We saved the building.”
The department’s quick response is key to achieving the best outcome, Kurzyna said.
“We are very quick. That’s one thigh about this town. Quick activation, quick response — it makes all the difference,” the chief said. He noted this was the department’s second quick stop in a week’s time. Firefighters contained and knocked down a structure fire at a Calverton Hills condominium last Monday.
Riverhead Fire Department is in need of new recruits to bolster its ranks, Kurzyna said. Applications for membership are available at the fire department’s headquarters, located at 540 Roanoke Avenue in Riverhead.
The department protects the Riverhead Fire District which covers approximately 48 square miles. It is the largest volunteer fire district on Long Island and the second largest in New York State. This area includes the Town of Riverhead and extends into parts of the towns of Southampton and Brookhaven. It’s a busy district. Last year, RFD responded to 1,435 incidents, according to data published on its website.
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