Firefighters Extinguish Blaze At Hamptons Beach Club

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Firefighters raced to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the La Ronde Beach Club in Westhampton Beach Thursday night, officials said.

According to Westhampton Beach Fire Department officials, the fire broke out just before 10 p.m.

Captain Jeff Wachenfeld was first on scene after a call about a smoke investigation; he was informed by the Westhampton Beach Police Department officer who called in the alarm that there was an active fire that was spreading from an outside electrical panel at the club, the Westhampton Fire Department said.

Captain Wachenfeld directed the first due engine to deploy two hoses to fight the fire; the next engine on scene hooked up to a nearby hydrant and supplied the first with water, fire officials said.

First Assistant Chief Mauro DiBenedetto took command upon his arrival and directed the department’s ladder truck to set up in the driveway; the ladder truck’s crew was soon able to place firefighters on the roof, where they knocked out a number of skylights to vent the intense heat and smoke from the fire, Westhampton Fire Department officials said.

(Courtesy Westhampton Beach Fire Department)

"Operating in very heavy smoke conditions the volunteers were able to knock down the fire within about 10 minutes of their arrival," a release from the Westhampton Beach Fire Department said.

The remainder of the two-hour call was taken up by overhaul during which the firefighters searched for residual fire behind walls and in floors and ceilings. The fire was limited to a kitchen and a breezeway at the club, officials said.

Praising his firefighters' efforts, Chief Halsey Stevens said it was “an impressive quick hit.”

Chief DiBenedetto agreed. “In another few minutes that thing would have been really cooking," he said.

The Westhampton Beach Fire Department was assisted on scene by the Quogue, Eastport, East Quogue, and East Moriches fire departments. The Westhampton War Memorial Ambulance was on scene as well as officers from the Westhampton Beach Police Department. Dune Road was shut down in both directions for the duration of the call.