Officials Eye Gas Fireplace As Origin Of Hearst Mansion Fire In Water Mill - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

Fire & Emergency / News / Southampton Press / 1664827

Officials Eye Gas Fireplace As Origin Of Hearst Mansion Fire In Water Mill

Fire Rages Through Water Mill Mansion Owned By Hearst Family
icon 1 Video & 26 Photos

Fire Rages Through Water Mill Mansion Owned By Hearst Family

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

authorMichael Wright on Dec 28, 2019
Investigators say they are looking into whether a gas fireplace in a second-floor bedroom was the culprit in the December 28 fire that tore through a 16,000-square-foot mansion owned by... more

You May Also Like:

Southampton Village Issues Weather Advisory Related to Hurricane Erin, Prohibiting Swimming and Driving on Village Beaches Starting August 20

Southampton Village Police announced that all swimming will be strictly prohibited at all Southampton Village beaches from Wednesday, August 20, starting at 6 a.m. through Friday, August 22, at 8 p.m., due to weather conditions created by Hurricane Erin, which is out at sea but passing south of the shoreline during that time frame. High rip current risk and high surf advisories will be in effect at that time. A high rip current risk means that dangerous and life-threatening rip currents are expected in the area. People are advised to stay out of the water, as even the most experienced ... 19 Aug 2025 by Staff Writer

Southampton Graduate Julia King Sings National Anthem at Citi Field

As the summer sun dipped behind the bright lights of Citi Field, Julia King stepped ... by Desirée Keegan

Beaches Will Close, Road Crews Prepare to Hold Back Ocean As Hurricane Erin Sends Giant Swell Toward South Fork

Southampton Town lifeguards will post the double red flags of hurricane conditions and close its ... by Staff Writer

Breakwater Yacht Club Bringing in Greg Bertish To Introduce Therapeutic Sailing to Community

Breakwater Yacht Club and Sailing Center has always prided itself on being an inclusion club, ... by Drew Budd

Ilsabe Wahrendorf Wyman of Southampton Dies August 15

Ilsabe Wahrendorf Wyman, 95, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, just days before her ... by Staff Writer

Jeanne Marilyn Burden Bunce of Water Mill Dies August 3

Jeanne Marilyn Burden Bunce passed away Sunday, August 3rd, 2025, at the Kanas Center for ... by Staff Writer

Three Teens Charged With Felony Assault in Connection With May Stabbing Outside Tuckahoe Nightclub

Southampton Town Police have arrested three local teenagers and charged them with felony assault charges ... by Staff Writer

Perfect Days

The drought snuck in midseason. It had been so rainy early that it took a while for us to realize the persistent mists of June were not really accumulating rainfall. Many vegetables can siphon moisture from the air. Dew condenses on their leaves in such a way that it all funnels back to the base. We may have “improved” and hybridized our favorite vegetables, but they learned how do a lot on their own. Seeds sailed across water long before us. Tomatoes, like potatoes, are long season crops, so when harvest begins, at least the first fruit set bears marks ... by Marilee Foster

Phillip W. Lissenden of Aquebogue Dies August 17

Phillip W. Lissenden of Aquebogue died in Riverhead on August 17. He was 76. He ... by Staff Writer

'Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin' Spotlights an Often Forgotten Civil Rights Legacy

Nearly 62 years ago to the day, on August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people ... by Hope Hamilton