Family Escapes Early Morning Fire in Springs

A mother and her two children barely escaped a fire that destroyed their house in Springs early Saturday morning. The family and a firefighter were taken to Southampton Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Springs Fire Department First Assistant Chief David King said the family, whose name was not released, was "very, very lucky" to make it out of their house at 787 Accabonac Road, next to Green River Cemetery. A call for help went out at about 4:20 a.m.

Amagansett Fire Department's First Assistant Chief Allen Bennett, who doesn't live far away and knows the family, was the first on scene and said the fire had already engulfed the entire house by that point. "When I rounded the corner from Neck Path onto Accabonac, you could see the glow in the sky," he said. "Thank God they got out." 

The family was outside the house when Chief Bennett arrived. Chief King said he wasn't sure if the woman or a passer-by called 911, but he believes the woman sustained injuries getting her children, two dogs, and two turtles out of the house. They were all taken to Southampton Hospital due to possible smoke inhalation, though the mother was kept for observation, officials said. 

The East Hampton Town fire marshal's office is investigating the fire's cause. Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo said the fire does not appear to have been suspicious in origin. 

About 75 firefighters responded and quickly got the flames under control. Springs called for tankers from the East Hampton and Sag Harbor Fire Departments, and Amagansett's Rapid Intervention Team responded, as well. An East Hampton Fire Department engine stood by at Springs headquarters.

Emergency medical technicians from Springs and East Hampton Fire Departments responded along with the East Hampton Village Ambulance Association to help assess firefighters' conditions. One firefighter from Amagansett was treated and released from Southampton Hospital, according to Chief Bennett.

Signs of an active family remained amid the destruction. A "fresh eggs" sign hung on a fence out front, and children's play items were in the backyard. Chief King said the two-story, shingled house with blue trim was over 100 years old. It used to belong to his family on the Miller side, he said. 

Tax records indicate the one-acre property is owned by Judith Bistrian.

While he said he feels terrible for the family, who lost all of their belongings, Mr. King said, "Hopefully they can look back on this someday and say, 'How lucky we were to get out of there.' "