East Hampton and Amagansett firefighters were dispatched at 11:42 p.m. Tuesday to 74 Oakview Highway in East Hampton, where they found a small cottage engulfed in flames.
First on scene, according to an East Hampton Fire Department news release, was Gerard Turza, the department's safety officer and previous chief. When he arrived, the cottage's sole occupant had already evacuated and "heavy fire was coming out the front and rear of the building."
Amagansett's Rapid Intervention Team joined about 40 East Hampton firefighters with seven trucks on scene. The East Hampton Village Volunteer Ambulance Association also responded.
"A quick, aggressive attack was made by East Hampton firefighters and we were able to knock down the fire," Fire Chief Duane Forrester said in a statement.
The town fire marshal is investigating the incident.