Abandoned Zombie Home Ravaged By Fire, Razed

SHIRLEY, NY — An abandoned Shirley home that was ravaged by fire last month has been razed.

An emergency demolition took place on Nov. 2, with Brookhaven Town Councilman Dan Panico and Suffolk County Legislator Rudy Sunderman onhand at the property, located at 215 Broadway.

The house was severely damaged by the October fire and had been "a dangerous nuisance in the neighborhood for many years . . . and the source of resident complaints," officials said.

The house was demolished in accordance with Chapter 73 of the town code, which provides a “fast track” to rid neighborhoods of unsafe structures. The cost of demolition and debris removal is the responsibility of the property owner, and the town places a lien on the property that is then placed on the tax bill. The county reimburses the town and then they collect the money from the property owner, a release said.

“While thankfully no one was injured in this blaze, the Town of Brookhaven took swift action to remove and clean up this dangerous eyesore," Panico said.

The fire ripped through the abandoned home on Oct. 16,fully engulfing the structure, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating a fire; the cause of the fire is undetermined. There were reportedly no injuries.

Firefighters from Mastic, Manorville, Ridge and Brookhaven reportedly raced to the scene; neighbors said on social media that they could smell the heavy smoke.

According to the Mastic Beach Fire Department Chemical Company #1, Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services received multiple calls for the house on fire at the corner of Broadway and Beacon St. in Shirley.

"Upon arrival the units were confronted with a heavy fire load on the first and second floors of the home. The fire in the vacant home was quickly knocked down by responding units," Mastic Fire Department officials said.

Approximately 25 members responded and were assisted at the scene by the Brookhaven Fire Department, the Ridge FD Company 2, and the Manorville Fire Department. EMS coverage and rehab was supplied by the Mastic Ambulance Company, Shirley Community Ambulance and the Mastic Beach Ambulance Company.

The scene was turned over to the Town of Brookhaven fire marshal's office and the Suffolk County Police Department's arson squad, officials said.

Photo of the fire by Fully Involved Media Group LLC.