|
As of Sunday, all visible flames had been knocked down,
including the last remaining fire burning in the hamlet of
Westhampton, according to Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy
Sunderman. He said at a Sunday news conference that crews were
working on containment lines around the fire to prevent further
spread. Authorities said the fire had not grown since early
Sunday.
Still, officials were cautious as wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48
kph) were expected Sunday, according to the National Weather
Service,
“We’re concerned because the winds are still blowing, that might
spark up again,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.
Romaine thanked firefighters who worked through the night,
adding that more than 80 volunteer fire departments battled the
blaze, which burned about 600 acres (243 hectares).
Two firefighters were hospitalized for injuries and released,
according to Sunderman.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
Dozens of detectives were interviewing 911 callers and using
drones. Suffolk County officials said earlier that the police
department's arson squad had initiated an investigation into the
blaze, though there was no immediate evidence to suggest arson.
“We're going to get to the bottom of what happened,” said
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “At this time
it's too early to tell whether or not this fire started
naturally or there's some nefarious origin."
At least two commercial structures were damaged.
Roughly 15 miles (24 kilometers) west, officials were monitoring
a small brush fire along Sunrise Highway early Sunday,
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel J. Panico said. But there were
no visible flames as of Sunday morning.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
