On Wednesday Morning at approximately 10:05 a.m. the Cutchogue Fire Department was dispatched to a possible electrical fire in the home of 885 Orchard Street in New Suffolk. An alert neighbor called 911 reporting an electrical issue at the location when she could see sparks coming from the electrical meter of the home.

While responding, units from Southold Town Police provided updated information reporting smoke coming from the home.

Upon arrival of Chief 8-5-30, it was confirmed that there was a working fire within the home with smoke showing from the first and second floors of a large 2-story home.

The homeowner was able to escape the home once he realized there was a fire.

It was apparent the fire within the home was electrical in nature as the meter was continuously arching and sparking. This would initially hamper the efforts of the firefighters as hose lines could not be used until power to the home was turned off as the majority of the fire was in the walls surrounding the meter. Units from PSEG were immediately requested to respond to the scene.

In the meantime in an effort to control the spread of the fire, first arriving firefighters initially deployed a series of dry chemical fire extinguishers to help keep the fire at bay in the basement and first floor.

Additional manpower and equipment were requested from our neighboring Fire Departments to assist at the scene. Mattituck Fire Department responded with an engine and ambulance to the scene, while Southold Fire Department provided a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) in the event of any firefighter emergencies.

Once the power and utilities were turned off firefighters used several hose lines and began to extinguish the fire that was burning in the walls traveling through the first and second floors. Firefighters used a series of tools and power saws to access the hard-to-reach areas that were burning.

Firefighters deployed a series of ladders to help ventilate the home and access the roof area.

As the incident progressed the Jamesport Fire Department was additionally requested to respond to the scene with an additional RIT team as Southold Firefighters assisted with overhaul operations.

Greenport FD stood by at CFD HQ in the event of any additional call in the Cutchogue Fire District.

EMS personnel on the scene from CFD, MFD, SFD, and Stony Brook University Paramedics evaluated the homeowner and provided rehab for firefighters operating on the scene.

CFD Fire Police units directed traffic in the area during the incident.

Crews operated on the scene for 2.5 hours.

No injuries were reported. A majority of the home was saved with any major damage being confined to several small rooms.

Thank you to the CFD Ladies Auxiliary who provided refreshments and rehab supplies.

This would be one of 7 calls that CFD would respond to today.

Thank you to all of our Volunteers who responded throughout the day.