Structure Fire in Saltaire, 6/25/21

A recently constructed bayfront house on Inlet Walk in the Incorporated Village of Saltaire was seriously damaged in a blaze that began on the morning of Friday, June 25, reported at approximately 7:15 a.m.Saltaire Fire Company reported that approximately 90 responders answered the call, as seven neighboring island and mainland departments lent mutual aid – including Kismet, Fair Harbor, Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park, Point O’Woods, West Islip and Bay Shore fire departments. The fire was under control by 9:50 a.m.“There were no injuries reported and we thank our mutual aid partners as well as Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services, Suffolk County Police Department, PSEG Long Island, Fire Island National Seashore and the Village of Saltaire for their assistance. Our thoughts are with the homeowners during this difficult time,” read a statement that Saltaire Fire Company released on Facebook later that evening.The fire took place on the last day of classes at Fire Island School this academic year, leaving three buses full of children stranded in Kismet for over two hours as firefighters worked to contain the flames. However the children were escorted to a nearby community playground to pass the time until it was safe to travel again.June 25 was also the last day before summer 2021 driving restrictions went into effect as per Fire Island National Seashore regulations, thus creating traffic congestion on the Fair Harbor side as many year-round residents were trying to drive their vehicles off island for the season at that hour.“I cannot tell you how grateful we are to the first responders that sacrificed their safety to try to save our home,” wrote Frances Belzer Reid, who has identified herself as the owner of the property. “Thank God no one was there and the firefighters did everything they could.”While the fire’s cause has not been determined, observations by responders on site mentioned that the building’s wooden exterior was in the process of being professionally stained, and a stash of mulch was in close proximity to the work being done.Saltaire Fire Company’s statement included a reminder for households to make sure smoke detectors are in good working order, keep bedroom doors closed while sleeping and to have a fire escape plan in place. Belzer Reid reiterated their message for raising fire prevention and public safety awareness.