Firefighters Battle Blaze at Gosman's in Montauk

Update, 11:20 p.m.:  Montauk Fire Chief Joseph Lenahan said his department made "a great stop" on a fire that broke out at Gosman's Dock Friday night. While an exterior wall near the entrance was badly damaged, it could have been much worse, he said. 

Though Chief Lenahan declined to comment on the cause, citing an investigation by the East Hampton Town fire marshal's office, he said the blaze started on the outside of an older part of the building, on the north side by the main entrance that faces the parking lot. Firefighters were able to keep the fire on the exterior of the restaurant, which closed for the season on Monday. There is smoke and water damage from the sprinkler system inside, but "the great news," Chief Lenahan said, "They'll definitely be open next spring." 

Firefighters got to the West Lake Drive complex quickly with the chief arriving within three minutes, he said. The chief was at the firehouse, along with a bevy of other volunteers who had just finished fire school, when the department received the call at about 8:40 p.m. A passerby noticed a small fire and called 911, but it grew quickly. Dispatchers said one side of the building was "fully involved," the chief said.                                                                                                                                                T.E. McMorrow

Robert Gosman, an owner of Gosman's Dock and a former fire chief who had been home at the time, arrived just before Chief Lenahan, and also updated him on the situation, which was rapidly getting worse. The chief called for help from the Amagansett and East Hampton Fire Departments. 

The overhang on the building was ablaze. "It did extend into the building a bit, but we were able to contain it," Chief Lenahan said. The windows blew out from the heat, and the whole building filled with smoke, he said. An office above the old dining room was not damaged. Fortunately, winds were calm at the waterfront restaurant. 

The fire was extinguished within 40 minutes. 

Overall, 100 firefighters between the three departments responded.                                                                                                                                                 T.E. McMorrow

Update, 10:05 p.m.: After extinguishing a fire at Gosman's Dock in Montauk, firefighters have been sent home. It was unclear how bad the damage was at the restaurant, but firefighters were said to have knocked down the blaze in less than an hour. No injuries were reported. Check back for more information as it becomes available.

Originally, 9:25 p.m.: The Montauk Fire Department received a call of a fire at Gosman's Dock at 500 West Lake Drive at 8:40 p.m. on Friday.

The fire appeared to be in the main restaurant, which overlooks Montauk Harbor.

Heavy smoke filled a kitchen and main dining room. The fire appeared to be confined to the side of the restaurant nearest Montauk Inlet. Firefighters were opening the restaurant complex's windows to get the smoke out of the building. 

The restaurant, along with the others at Gosman's Dock, had closed for the season on Monday.

Montauk fire chiefs called for the rapid intervention team from the Amagansett Fire Department, in case firefighters had to be rescued from inside the building, and two engines from the East Hampton Fire Department. 

The East Hampton Town fire marshal's office sent an investigator to the scene. The fire department's ladies auxiliary was asked to bring refreshments to the firefighters. 

This is a developing story. Check back for more information as it becomes available.

WITH REPORTING BY CHRISTOPHER WALSH