Riverhead firefighters knock down fire at vacant former Toys R Us store
 
By Ex-Chief Nicholas Luparella/Denise Civiletti /Thomas Lambui
February 24, 2020
 

Riverhead Fire Department stopped a fire at the former Toys R Us building on Route 58 this morning.

Firefighters found an active fire to the rear of the vacant building near the loading docks, when they responded to the alarm at about 8:15 this morning.

The fire was contained to the exterior of the building, Riverhead Fire Department Second Assistant Chief Joe Hartmann said, but it caused a smoky condition inside the building,
Riverhead Fire Department responded with three engines, a ladder truck and 35 to 40 firefighters, Hartmann said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The building has been vacant since Toys R Us closed its doors in April 2018, following the company’s bankruptcy filing in September 2017.