10 Photos
Hildreth Lane in Bridgehampton was closed Friday afternoon as firefighters battled a house fire. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
Firefighters at the scene of a house fire on Hildreth Lane in Bridgehampton on Saturday. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
A Bridgehampton Fire Department ladder truck and pumper at the scene of a house fire on Hildreth Lane Friday afternoon. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
A Southampton Town police officer emerged from the fire scene with a small dog in his arms. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
Firefighters battled a house fire off Hildreth Lane in Bridgehampton on Friday. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
A woman ran to greet the police officer who had emerged with a small dog that had been rescued from a house fire on Hildreth Lane in Bridgehampton on Friday. STEPHEN J. KOTZ
Fire engulfed a house in Bridgehampton on Friday afternoon. COURTESY BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
Fire engulfed a house in Bridgehampton on Friday afternoon, September 12. COURTESY BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
The aftermath of a house fire that left five people in Bridgehampton homeless on Friday. COURTESY BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
The aftermath of a house fire that left five people in Bridgehampton homeless on Friday. COURTESY BRIDGEHAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
Firefighters from Bridgehampton and four other departments battled a blaze that caused extensive damage to a house off Hildreth Lane in Bridgehampton and left five people, including one child, homeless on Friday afternoon, September 12.
The house was not visible from the street, but thick plumes of smoke were seen above the tree line from the Bridgehampton Commons shopping center to the northwest of the home shortly after the Bridgehampton fire siren sounded at about 1:45 p.m.
Bridgehampton Fire Chief Tom Federico said it appeared the fire started in a garage that the owner, Christine Chew Smith, who is an artist, used as a studio, before spreading to a breezeway and the house.
He said the house appeared to be a total loss, but that the cause has yet to be determined, pending an investigation by the Southampton Town Fire Marshal’s office.
“Bridgehampton had a pretty good fight on their hands,” said Southampton Town Chief Fire Marshal John Rankin. “The structure is still standing, although there was very significant damage to the roofing in the center portion of the house,” rendering it uninhabitable.
Rankin said the cause had yet to be determined. “Based on the information we have, we know the fire started in the room known as the studio/office and progressed outward from there,” he said.
He said one adult was home at the time of the fire and escaped without injury. Firefighters also found a pet dog in the basement of the home and were able to rescue it.
A Southampton Town police officer was seen carrying the dog up the driveway from the home, and he was greeted by a woman who cried out in relief as she was reunited with her pet.
Rankin said some of the victims were taken to the Bridgehampton Firehouse Friday evening until they could make arrangements for temporary accommodations.
He said the Red Cross found housing for one of the residents and that the others were able to find lodging with friends or family.
Bridgehampton requested mutual aid, and firefighters from Southampton, North Sea, Sag Harbor and East Hampton were soon at the scene. Ambulances were also on standby at the scene.
Firefighters remained at the scene into the evening after the fire was extinguished because of a problem with a hydrant that could not be shut off, Federico said.
Stephen J. Kotz on Sep 12, 2025