Rogue embers, still smoldering in a fireplace at an East Hampton house, erupted into flames in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The East Hampton Fire Department was called at about 2:45 a.m. to a report of a chimney fire that was spreading to the roof of a single-story residence at 27 Spring Close Highway. “We found fire in several void spaces in the upper wall areas around the fireplace chimney,” said Chief Gerard Turza Jr.
Three engines, a tower ladder truck, a heavy rescue truck, a hose truck, a tanker, and an East Hampton Village ambulance along with its paid paramedic responded. Firefighters were able to extinguish the visible fire and aggressively “overhaul” the surrounding areas to ensure that the flames did not spread, the chief said. Part of the roof had to be cut away in the process.
The East Hampton Town fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause, but the chief said it appeared that embers from a fire earlier that evening broke free from a metal-insert flue pipe and began to burn the wood framing of the surrounding wall, then spread to the roof.
“We’d like to remind homeowners to have their heating systems and fireplaces checked and serviced by licensed, professional service providers,” he said.
No injuries were reported. All firefighters were back in service at 4:08 a.m.