Structure Fire
 
By Ex-Chief Nicholas Luparella/Denise Civiletti Riverhead Local/Photos by Pete Blasl
January 25, 2023
 

Riverhead firefighters are at the scene of a fast-moving fire on the second floor of a building on Pulaski Street this morning.
Town highway crews working nearby saw flames licking at the windows on the second floor facing Pulaski Street and reported the fire at about 9:07 a.m.
Firefighters knocked down the blaze enough for three volunteers to gain entry to the second floor of the building and battle the blaze from within, according to radio reports.
It is not known at this time whether the second floor of the free-standing building was occupied when the fire broke out.
The building was fully involved even before firefighters arrived on scene at 9:14 a.m.
Riverhead firefighters are at the scene of a fast-moving fire on the second floor of a building on Pulaski Street this morning.
Town highway crews working nearby saw flames licking at the windows on the second floor facing Pulaski Street and reported the fire at about 9:07 a.m.

Update

First Assistant Chief J.R. Renten and Firefighter Frank Greenwood were able to rescue two second-floor residents from the burning apartment, Riverhead Fire Chief Joe Hartmann said.
Renten and Greenwood work for the Riverhead Highway Department and happened to be working on Pulaski Street this morning. They were able to get the occupants out before the fire, which took off quickly, consumed the second floor apartment within a matter of minutes, Hartmann said.
Firefighters knocked down the blaze enough for three volunteer firefighters to gain entry to the second floor and battle the blaze from within. They searched for any other occupants, Hartmann said.

Hartmann said about 45 firefighters responded to the scene, with three engines and two ladder trucks. Ridge Fire Department responded to a mutual aid call and Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps also responded. There were no injuries, Hartmann said.

The fire was declared under control by the chief at 9:53 a.m.