On Sunday Afternoon at approximatley 4:30 p.m. the Cutchogue Fire Department was called to assist the Mattituck Fire Department at the scene of a working structure fire on Oregon Rd. in Mattituck, near the border of the Cutchogue and Mattituck Fire Districts.

Southold Town Police Communications began to receive reports of smoke and fire coming from the old Oregon School that was located on Oregon Rd. The building was formally a school for the residents in the northern areas of both Mattituck and Cutchogue. The building was later converted to a residence before being abandoned for many years.

While responding, incoming units could see a large column of smoke that was visible for several miles. First arriving units found a large amount of fire already starting to consume the building.

Mutual aid was quickly requested from neighboring departments, that would eventually include response from the Cutchogue, Jamesport, Southold, Greenport and Riverhead Fire Departments.

Early on CFD responded to assist at the scene with their ladder truck 8-5-3.

Once on scene CFD ladder truck positioned itself and set up for master stream operations.

Because the location of the fire was located in the most rural portion of our fire districts, no hydrants or public water supply was available to fight the fire. Water for the fire scene was supplied by 2 electric fire wells maintained by the Mattituck and Cutchogue Fire Districts, as well as tankers from Mattituck, Southold and Riverhead Fire Departments.

The fire wells supplying the scene were each located approximately 2500 feet away from the scene.
Additional engines were requested to lay hose and perform in a relay operation pumping water to the scene. In total over a mile of supply hose was used during the fire.

CFD's Supply Engine 8-5-1, responded and laid large diameter hose from the scene to an electric well on the corner of Alvahs Lane in Cuthchogue to supply Cutchogue's Ariel Ladder while Mattituck's Supply Engine / Hose Truck 8-6-4 supplied water from an electric well near Eligah's Lane in Mattituck.

Both of these engines were specially designed with large generators for the purpose of powering these wells.

Once water supplies were established multiple hand lines and Aerial Master streams were placed in service.

Fire fighters battled the blaze for over 5 hours. Heavy equipment and a ladder truck from the Southold FD were called in to assist with the overhaul and demolition process to ensure all hot spots were extinguished.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Southold Town Police Department and the Suffolk County Police Arson Squad.

No firefighter injuries were reported.

Southold Fire Department stood by at CFD in the event of any other alarms while Riverhead FD stood by at Mattituck FD HQ.

Additional pictures will be posted as they become available.