| The Riverhead Fire Department responded to a residential fire on JT Boulevard last Thursday. The ranch-style home belonging to Landress Henderson, Jr. caught fire when someone left the stove unattended while cooking.
According to Riverhead Fire Marshal Bruce Johnson, once firefighters reached the scene, it took approximately 15 minutes to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported.
The Flanders Fire Department was called on a signal 24 for their RIT* but wasn't needed.
Johnson noted there wasn't a working smoke detector present in the home and wanted to remind all Riverhead residents of the free smoke detector program sponsored by the town. Residents can call 727-3200 ext. 555 and leave their name and return phone number.
Johnson also warned that when cooking, be sure to turn all burners off when leaving a stove area, even for a short period of time.
*FYI - A "RIT" or Rapid Intervention Team is a squad of firefighters that are called in from a neighboring department whenever there is a medium to large fire being fought. The "RIT" stands-by at the scene, ready at a moments notice, to go in and rescue the rescuers if disaster strikes. If the RIT should go active, another RIT is immediately called in from yet another department to replace and back them. Some examples of when a RIT would be activated would be; building collapse, cave-in, flashover, backdraft and a firefighter down and/or trapped situation. |
