Fire Severely Damages Building at Hartman's Briney Breezes Motel
A fire ripped through one of the buildings at Hartman's Briney Breezes Motel in Montauk early Friday morning. The building was severely damaged, if not destroyed, fire officials said, but firefighters stopped flames from spreading to other buildings in the complex and those next door.
The Montauk Fire Department was called to the U-shaped motel complex on Old Montauk Highway, not far from downtown Montauk, at about 4:30 a.m. The two-story building is near several other commercial structures and on a sloping site overlooking the ocean. It and its basement were both on fire when the first firefighters arrived, according to Chief Joe Lenahan. "When I crested Flamingo Hill on the other end of town, I could see the flames," he said. "That had been burning a while before we were called," he said. No automatic fire alarm had sounded.
The building, the second on the east side of the complex, was not occupied, the chief said. It was reportedly recently renovated, though he could not confirm that. The other buildings in the complex were occupied and firefighters and police officers knocked on doors and evacuated the occupants. About 10 people were found and taken to a safe place on the west side of the complex.
With the roof already on fire, firefighters poured water on it from outside, from both the ground and from ladder trucks. The chief called for additional help from the Amagansett Fire Department's rapid intervention team, brought in to backup interior firefighters, and the East Hampton Fire Department, which brought its tanker and aerial ladder truck. Tankers from Amagansett and Springs were also brought in. There were at least 120 firefighters in total, the chief said.
Engine companies and water supply trucks were also given the task of protecting the nearby buildings that were in danger due to a strong westerly wind. The flames burned hedges and bushes on that side, but there was no damage to any other buildings. "It was a great stop," the chief said. "Everybody did an incredible job."
The fire was fully extinguished in about an hour. Firefighters remained on scene another hour looking for pockets of fire. No injuries were reported.
Chief Lenahan stopped short of saying the building was destroyed, leaving that determination up to the East Hampton Town fire marshal's office. While the first and second story are still standing, he said it is "probably going to be a tear-down," though its possible the first-floor could be saved. There is significant water damage throughout the building, though.
An East Hampton Town fire marshal was dispatched to begin an initial attempt to determine the fire's origin at about 5:40 a.m.
The Bridgehampton, Springs, and Sag Harbor Fire Departments were called to stand by at Amagansett, Montauk, and East Hampton Firehouses, respectively, during the fire. All firefighters were released by about 7 a.m.
With Reporting By David E. Rattray
Dalton Portella Photos