Flanders couple, dog escape early-morning house fire on East Street

A Flanders couple and their dog escaped safely after an early-morning fire on East Street heavily damaged the home’s attached two-car garage, and firefighters kept the flames from spreading into the main living space, Flanders Fire Chief Nick vanVliet said.

The fire was reported at about 1:30 a.m. Monday. Most of the damage was concentrated in the garage, with some extension into the storage room above it, while the living area sustained smoke damage but appeared to avoid direct fire damage. That distinction kept the blaze from becoming a full-house loss.

About 18 to 20 Flanders firefighters responded, backed by mutual aid from the Riverhead Fire Department, which sent a crew and ladder truck, and the Hampton Bays Fire Department, which provided a rapid intervention team. Westhampton Beach firefighters covered Flanders headquarters while the East Street scene was being worked, keeping the district protected if another call came in.

The fire came during a hectic stretch for the department. VanVliet said Flanders firefighters had already been handling storm-related emergencies after a powerful thunderstorm moved through the area the previous night, and the house fire became the department’s 13th alarm in just a few hours. Downed trees were blocking the firehouse driveway during the storm response, adding another layer of difficulty for crews trying to move quickly.

Southampton Town fire marshals, a Suffolk County fire coordinator, a Southampton Town fire coordinator and Southampton Town Emergency Management also responded. Crews returned later in the morning to check for hot spots, and vanVliet said everything appeared safe afterward. The Southampton Town fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause.

The fire underscored how quickly an attached-garage blaze can threaten an entire house, especially when the fire starts in a space that is connected to the living area. It also highlighted the value of mutual aid in Suffolk County, where neighboring departments can help stop a garage fire before it reaches bedrooms, hallways and exits.

For homeowners, the immediate checklist is clear: test smoke alarms, keep exits unobstructed, limit stored combustibles in garages, and be especially careful with devices left charging overnight. Southampton Town’s Fire Prevention office handles fire investigations and fire-related complaints in the town, including in North Haven, Quogue, Sagaponack and Westhampton Beach, as fire officials continue to look at what sparked the East Street blaze.