Quick-Thinking Fireman, Deli Owner Saves Southampton Store

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — In a true show of community spirit, a man getting his breakfast at a Southampton deli and the business' owner and former fire captain saved the day Tuesday, spotting and extinguishing a fire at a store across the street.

According to Chris Brenner, public information officer for the Southampton Fire Department, the incident took place at Laviano, located on Jobs Lane in Southampton, at 7:03 a.m.

A customer getting his breakfast at Sean's Place noticed a fire across the street and Sean King, who owns the deli, sprang into action, Brenner said. King, a Southampton Fire Department member and ex-captain, grabbed a fire extinguisher and headed over, Brenner said.

King said his customer, Dave Cornrumps, was at Sean's Place for his usual toasted bagel. When he waited for it to be toasted a bit longer, he was staring out the window and noticed something amiss across the street. "He told one of my staff, 'I think there's a fire.'"

At first, King said, the staff member thought it was just lights, then she shouted to him, "There's a fire across the street!"

King, who was drinking coffee with two friends, grabbed his fire extinguisher from the kitchen and headed to the store along with another Southampton fireman Shane O'Keefe, also a member of the Hook & Ladder Company #1, who was in the deli getting a sandwich.

The fire, King said, was traveling straight up a hanging lamp. He told O'Keefe to go and get a firetruck and 911 was called. King said while at first, he was hesitant to break the glass door, when the fire was about to hit the ceiling, there was no other option. He used his fire extinguisher to break the glass and put out the fire.

None of the clothing in the store was damaged and the fire was extinguished quickly, he said.

"We were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time," King said.

(Warning: Video contains some graphic language.)

(Courtesy Southampton Fire Department)

The main thing was ensuring he had something with him to put out the fire. King also credited the Southampton Fire Department, who were on the scene in four-and-a-half minutes in full gear.

"We're fortunate it was during the daytime. If this had happened at 3 a.m., we'd be looking at another Sag Harbor," King said.

A massive blaze on Main Street in Sag Harbor in 2016 left the since-restored theater gutted and caused extensive damage.

Chelsea Laviano, owner of Laviano, was filled with thanks for King: "I'm just very grateful I have him across the street and he was able to save the business."

Laviano said the damage was minimal and she was at the store Tuesday morning readying to reopen. "I'm so lucky he was there. It's such a nice community and I'm so glad we're all able to be so close.

Others credited King's quick action for the positive outcome.

"It was really Sean's quick thinking, and the person at the deli, who saw the fire, and a great job by firemen," Brenner said. "Sean did a great job and was able to save the establishment. Sean's a great guy; he was able to safely and efficiently knock down the fire."

Southampton 1st Assistant Chief Manny Escobar was the chief at the scene, Brenner said.

King's swift action speaks to the heart that defines the Southampton community, Brenner said.

"He's a community member, a business owner, but he's also a fireman. This really was one of those great stories; in the end, it all worked out and that business will be able to open up again very quickly. It's so good to know we have such great people in our fire department. All of the Southampton Fire Department members are amazing. It's teamwork — and it's just great."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Brenner said.

When asked how it felt to have put out a fire all before 8 a.m., King credited all who worked together and said it was a morning to remember: "This is the day we saved Jobs Lane," he said, as customers cheered at his deli.