Working Structure Fire – Woodcliff Drive, Baiting Hollow

On April 16, 2026, at approximately 9:55 a.m., the Riverhead Fire Department was activated for a structure fire at 16 Woodcliff Drive, Baiting Hollow. Chief Piotr Kurzyna observed a column of smoke while responding to the scene and a working fire was transmitted to all responding units. Upon Fire Department arrival, a single story, vacant residence with a heavy fire load was located. Chief Kurzyna immediately requested mutual aid from the surrounding area to assist in extinguishing this fire. The fire was extinguished by approximately 50 firefighters from the Riverhead Fire Department and surrounding mutual aid departments.

The Riverhead Fire Department responded with three engines, two ladder trucks, one water tanker and two support vehicles. Two nearby residences were spared from heavy fire damage. The Riverhead Town Fire Marshal’s Office was notified and requested the scene. The mutual aid companies that responded to assist in fighting this fire were as follows: Jamesport, Wading River, Ridge Fire departments. Riverhead Town Volunteer Ambulance also responded to the scene. The Westhampton Beach Fire Department was on stand by at Riverhead Fire Department H.Q. to handle any additional calls.

One injury was reported to a firefighter from one of the mutual aid fire companies, who was treated and released at the scene.

The fire scene was cleared at 11:38 a.m. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Riverhead Town Fire Marshal’s Office.