A major structure fire that broke out just before 11 a.m. Friday in Montauk was still being tended to by emergency personnel late into the afternoon.
Police said someone called 911 to report flames coming from the Madison Drive house. Amid thunder, lightning, and heavy rain, smoke from the blaze could be seen from downtown Montauk.
The Montauk and East Hampton Fire Departments both responded immediately. By 11:20, interior firefighters were pulled out of the burning house, according to chatter on the scanner.
Montauk called nearby departments for mutual aid, Lt. Kenneth Alversa of the town police said. The Springs Fire Department was called to stand in for Montauk's department should other emergency calls come in.
By 4 p.m., the property was surrounded by red "X" signs indicating major structural damage. Fire crews were still on the scene, as was a large excavator that appeared to be demolishing what remained of the house. The smell of smoke lingered in the air.
Lieutenant Alversa said the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.