Jan 31, 2012 6:09 PM
The cause of a raging fire that devoured a Water Mill mansion last Thursday, January 26, has not been determined and remains under investigation by the Southampton Town fire marshal’s office.
The intense blaze sent embers flying onto neighboring properties, threatening to spark additional fires, while eight fire departments and a half dozen ambulance companies fought through farm fields to reach the scene.
“It’s probably the biggest fire I’ve seen since I’ve been in the department in the last 20 years,” Southampton Fire Department Chief Rodney “Chip” Pierson said.
No one was in the 10,000-square-foot house at 18 Jordan Drive when the blaze broke out shortly before 6:45 p.m. last Thursday, and no serious injuries were reported, Southampton Town Police said, although firefighters said some emergency responders suffered smoke inhalation.
Chief Pierson noted that... more
The intense blaze sent embers flying onto neighboring properties, threatening to spark additional fires, while eight fire departments and a half dozen ambulance companies fought through farm fields to reach the scene.
“It’s probably the biggest fire I’ve seen since I’ve been in the department in the last 20 years,” Southampton Fire Department Chief Rodney “Chip” Pierson said.
No one was in the 10,000-square-foot house at 18 Jordan Drive when the blaze broke out shortly before 6:45 p.m. last Thursday, and no serious injuries were reported, Southampton Town Police said, although firefighters said some emergency responders suffered smoke inhalation.
Chief Pierson noted that... more
Thank you to all the responders, a fine effort indeed.
Interesting stats:
Purchase Price (in May, 2007) - - - - - - $$1.7M
Assessed Value (4&1/2 yrs, later) - - - - $$3.5M
Insurance Coverage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ???????
We are currently working directly with the Town Fire Marshal and the Insurance Company to determine the exact origin and cause. At this time it has been deemed sudden and accidental however additional investigation is ...more required to pinpoint the exact cause of loss.
Also, to clear up some of the concern, the house was only partially completed when it was purchased in 2007. It was finished with 10,000 sf of livable space with 10 bedrooms and 11.5 bathrooms and then was assessed by the town at its current value. As for it being for sale since 2009 a quick click to zillow.com will show hundreds of houses in the Hampton's on the market since 2008/2009.
Again, we would like to get back to the point that actually matters and thank all of the firefighters for a great job and all of the support staff that kept the neighboring houses and everyone involved safe.
EXACTLY.
Thank you to the firefighters who protected the neighboring homes. This fire could have destroyed more homes and taken lives.
Hopefully, the Town will now hold these owners and similiar property owners in this neighborhood accountable for code violations.
If I had enough money to rent a $3m+ home, I would probably throw a party, too. And, the local town officials, etc have enough control ...more over our lives out here.. If someone wants to rent their house, they should be allowed to rent it for whatever term they feel. Even the federal government allows you to rent your house up to two weeks, tax free. The last thing we need is some other town something or rather driving around looking for stuff to do all day.
Transient renters, give me a break, if you're renting, one could argue you're transient regardless of how long you stay there.
Let alone the fact that insurance companies are more guilty than all homeowners looking to cash out combined. Let them pay out for once...
2009 NY Post.
say a person were to rent out a property with no smoke detectors and unsecured swimming pool...if a 17 year old were to become inebriated and have an accident wouldn't the renter be charged with criminal negligence? Who is responsible?