Fire claimed a second barn on the Wells farm on Sound Avenue this afternoon. Fire destroyed another barn on the same farm in November.
Riverhead police officers responded to a call about a structure fire at 5048 Sound Avenue at 1:11 p.m., police said in a press release.
Upon arrival responding police personnel and firefighters observed an engulfed barn, police said. They removed animals from the barn, according to the press release.
“The challenge was the wind and also it’s an old structure,” Riverhead Fire Department Chief Pete Kurzyna said. “We had to make a push, but we had to get our guys out. The roof did collapse,” he said.
About 50 Riverhead firefighters responded to the call with two engines, two ladders and fire police vehicles, Kurzyna said. Jamesport and Mattituck fire departments responded to the scene with manpower. Flanders, Southold, Manorville and Westhampton fire departments responded with tankers “to help us with the water,” Kurzyna said. Westhampton Fire Department stood by at RFS headquarters.
The fire was under control in approximately two hours, he said.
A New York State DEC spill response team, the Riverhead Town Fire Marshal’s Office and Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance also responded to the scene.
The fire, considered nonsuspicious, is under investigation by the Riverhead Town fire marshal, according to police.
Anyone who may have witnessed the start of the fire or has any further information is asked to call the is asked to contact the Riverhead Police Department at 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.
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