The Pavillion, Sip N Twirl, La Fontaine, a beach house, and several other structures burned down Monday night. The cause of the fire is unknown. At least 19 fire departments were dispatched from Pines, Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Point O' Woods, Cherry Grove, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Saltaire, Kismet, East Islip, West Islip, Hagerman, Sayville, Bellport, Great River and Bay Shore departments responded (Newsday).
Fire Island residents vow to rebuild, "After 26 years of being a Community member of the Pines, I was not prepared to come home from Florida tonight to face such devastating news. I do, however, know that those of us who have always believed in the fortitude and resiliance of its people will once again work again to rebuild and help those who have suffered properly losses to bring our haven back to life. It is a setback, but the most important thing is that so far today no one has been hurt. My love and prayers are with all my friends on Fire Island Pines." Patty Rosado (Facebook)
Erin Stacy Visslalli: "Severe tragedy has struck Fire Island Pines tonight. 6 hours ago a fire started in town, that destroyed many of the commercial properties, including Sip N Twirl, Pavilion, Pines Bistro, Bob Howard Real Estate, Jalston, Pines Harbor Real Estate, Pines Pizza, C.F. LaFountaine, Island Properties, The High Tea Deck, The Rack (Gym), Pines Supply & the Beachscapes flower & garden shop. This is devastating and really I don't even believe that devastating begins to describe the feelings associated with this awful tragedy. Thank you SO much to, NOT ONLY the FIP Fire Fighters who are on the island this late in the season, who are there to protect our homes & businesses, but to ALL of the responding communities' Fire Departments like Cherry Grove, Ocean Beach, and all the other island departments who responded, AND those who flew in their boats across the bay to join forces to fight these fires. I wish I had been there to assist. I am SO SO grateful no one was hurt and especially relieved this didn't happen in the peak of the season, as that would have been horrifying. As I KNOW I am not the only person that has considered the communities of Fire Island Pines & Cherry Grove my HOME for over 10 years, I declare that as a COMMUNITY, we unite forces, rally ourselves and do WHATEVER we can to invigorate the rebuilding of our commercial properties so that the summer of 2012 will touch our hearts, souls & memory banks even better then the years we have already spent there!!! " I AM HERE TO RECRUIT YOU" (Thanks Harvey) - Let's Go people!!!"
Photos Courtesy of The Fire Islands Historical Preservation Society/Facebook
