40+ Displaced After Fire Breaks Out At Independent Living Home

RIVERHEAD, NY — A fire broke out at a Riverhead independent living home Thursday, leaving more than 40 residents displaced, police said.

According to Riverhead Police, a 911 call came in at 6:16 p.m. about a fire at the Concern for Independent Living resident home, located on West Main Street. Police officers found fire alarms and sprinkler systems activated and heavy smoke and water flooding the first and second floors of the building, police said.

Police officers and staff evacuated more than 40 residents; the smoke was coming from a resident's room on the second floor, police said.

The Riverhead Fire Department responded and fully extinguished a small sofa chair in the room. All residents were accounted for, including the resident who lived in the room where the fire started; the second floor room was vacant upon entry, police said.

Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded and assisted on scene with a well check of the residents outside, police said.

Riverhead fire marshals, the Riverhead Police Department's detective division and the Suffolk County Police Department's arson unit responded are conducting an ongoing investigation; a possible cause of the fire may have been cigarette smoking inside the second floor room, police said.

No one was injured, but the building sustained heavy water and smoke damage and was deemed unlivable at the present time, police said. The Red Cross responded to the scene and assisted Concern for Independent Living Staff with relocating the residents.

Riverhead Police detectives are asking anyone with information about the fire to call 631-727-4500.