Ashes to Blame for East Hampton Village Fire

Quick thinking saved an East Hampton Village house from major damage Monday afternoon when a fire broke out in its garage after ashes were improperly disposed of there, fire officials said. 

The blaze was believed to have been caused by fireplace ashes that had been left inside a garbage container at 29 Pondview Lane, East Hampton Fire Chief Richard Osterberg Jr. said. "Somebody in the residence hit it with a fire extinguisher," he said, adding that a village police officer, who was the first to arrive after the 12:15 p.m. call, also used a fire extinguisher to fully douse the fire, which had spread to a wall.

The East Hampton Fire Department wet down the area and checked for pockets of fire behind the wall, but there was none, Chief Osterberg said. The East Hampton Village fire marshal was called to investigate. 

"Had the garage not been finished or if this was at 1 in the morning, this would have been a very different story," the chief said. A smoke detector alerted those in the house to the fire. 

He said a cleaning crew had recently put the ashes in the garbage. "You should always put them in a metal bucket. Have a can designated for fireplace ashes," Chief Osterberg said. He also recommended soaking them with water as a precaution. "Never, ever put them in the garbage until you are sure they are out."

Chief Osterberg also said this fire shows why all homeowners should have fire extinguishers on hand. "A little two-and-a-half-pound extinguisher can save your house."