Update: Officials Investigating Cause of Springs Fire

Update, Nov. 26, 11 a.m.: The East Hampton Town fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of a fire that broke out in the basement of a house at 21 Old Stone Highway in Springs on Sunday afternoon. 

The fire, which originated in the basement, burned a hole in the first floor of the two-story house before firefighters arrived, Springs Fire Department Chief Ryan Balnis said Monday morning. "The house was locked up," he said, adding that no one was home. "Smoke was coming from the soffits and chimney . . . you could tell the place was full of smoke." 

Firefighters broke into the house through the front door and knocked down the little bit of fire they found — the chief said there was mostly smoke. About three feet into the house, they realized there was a hole in the first floor, in the center of the living room. "There was zero visibility," Chief Balnis said. "Luckily, the guys we had go in on the first line, they checked the floor and found the hole and backed out." 



Since the first floor was compromised, the firefighters found another way into the basement and went through the Bilco doors on the side of the house and doused the fire from there. 

"It was a great stop for us," Chief Balnis said of saving the house. Aside from the hole in the floor, there was mostly smoke and water damage. 

The chief said he was not sure what had caused the fire. When he left, around 6 on Monday night, the fire marshals were still investigating the cause. 

The Springs Fire Department received assistance from the Amagansett and East Hampton Fire Departments. No injuries were reported.  

Tax records show that Kevin Bishop owns the property. 



Firefighters found a hole that a fire had burned in the first floor of a house on Old Stone Highway. Michael Heller 

Originally, Nov. 25, 4:33 p.m.: A fire broke out in a house near the Springs General Store on Sunday afternoon, bringing out three fire departments to battle the blaze. 

Just after 4 p.m., the Springs Fire Department received a call for a working structure fire at 21 Old Stone Highway. Chiefs immediately called for assistance from the Amagansett and East Hampton Fire Departments. 

The fire was reportedly in the basement of the house, and there were reports from the scene that the first floor was compromised. The majority of the fire was reportedly knocked about 20 minutes after firefighters arrived. P.S.E.G. Long Island was also asked to come to the scene. 

The road around the Springs General Store was closed to general traffic. Firefighters were staging at Ashawagh Hall.