Fire Badly Damages a Montauk Co-Op During Dangerously High Winds

Fire broke out in one of the units at the Atlantic Bluffs co-op complex in Montauk on Saturday evening, heavily damaging a portion of the property.

Smoke could be seen from as far away as the Amagansett ocean beaches as firefighters from three departments worked to put out the blaze.

Smoke from a fire at a co-op complex in Montauk flowed out over the ocean. *Cordelia Trupin Photo*

The Montauk Fire Department mobilized a full response and called in its tower truck. An Amagansett Fire Department tanker and personnel raced east at about 7 p.m., after its aid was sought. East Hampton sent equipment and fire volunteers as well.

Heavy black smoke from a fire at the Atlantic Bluffs Club in Montauk could be seen from Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett. *David E. Rattray Photo*

It was a chaotic scene, with flames coming from multiple points in one of the two-story buildings. Most of the units in the wood-sided complex have balconies, reached by exterior stairways.

The Montauk Fire Department led an effort that called on neighboring districts for extra equipment and manpower. *Doug Kuntz Photo*

The Montauk fire chiefs were concerned that a portion of the roof could cave in, putting firefighters at serious risk. Before the blaze was brought under control around 10 p.m., a section of roof had collapsed.

Firefighters were able to contain the damage to several units on the southwest corner of the property.

Second-story damage was extensive at one end of the partially wood-framed complex. *David E. Rattray Photos*

There were no reported injuries. A report of the cause of the fire was not yet available.