The Mastic Beach Fire Department was called to a large structure fire on Lafayette Drive off Elm Road. Six fire departments and two ambulance companies responded as part of the mutual aid system.
1st Assistant Chief Sharp was the first fire unit to arrive on scene, transmitted the working fire, and activated the mutual aid preplan. The next engine unit on scene and their crew put 2 hand-lines into operation initiating a transitional fire attack which was then quickly switched to an interior fire attack.
Mastic Beach Engine 3 soon followed, securing a positive water source from the next block over, and was followed by Engine 9, Rescue 4, and Engine 8, as well as Fire Police units 6 and 80. Mastic Beach Fire Department said in a statement, “Our thanks go out to all of our mutual aid partners for assisting during this call, as daytime calls tend to always be manpower-limited for all departments, and this was a labor intensive call.”
Mutual aid was provided by the Mastic Fire Department, Brookhaven Fire Department, Center Moriches Fire Department, Manorville Fire Department, Bellport Fire Department, Yaphank Fire Department, Mastic Beach Ambulance Company, Mastic Ambulance, Shirley Ambulance, as well as staff from Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. Units operated on scene for nearly 2 hours until being released from the scene which was turned over to the Brookhaven Town Fire Marshall's Office who is investigating the cause of the incident.
Firefighters were on scene for about an hour and a half. No firefighters were injured. There is a civilian report that one civilian was injured and taken to the hospital.
The region's volunteer fire companies can always use more help. If you are interested in joining the Mastic Beach Fire Department, call or text (631) 637-4173 or e-mail mbfdrecruitment@gmail.com for more information on joining our team.