Officials Eye Gas Fireplace As Origin Of Hearst Mansion Fire In Water Mill - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

Fire & Emergency / News / Southampton Press / 1664827

Officials Eye Gas Fireplace As Origin Of Hearst Mansion Fire In Water Mill

Fire Rages Through Water Mill Mansion Owned By Hearst Family
icon 1 Video & 26 Photos

Fire Rages Through Water Mill Mansion Owned By Hearst Family

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday.

The Bridgehampton Fire Department, assisted by mutual aid from several other local fire departments, battled a fire in the roof of a Water Mill mansion on Little Noyac Path in Water Mil on Saturday. BY MICHAEL HELLER

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames.

Fire destroyed a Water Mill mansion on Saturday morning. The house was on Little Noyac Path, which does not have fire hydrants, forcing fire crews from throughout the South Fork to rely on tanker trucks to supply the water needed to fight the flames. Michael Wright

authorMichael Wright on Dec 28, 2019
Investigators say they are looking into whether a gas fireplace in a second-floor bedroom was the culprit in the December 28 fire that tore through a 16,000-square-foot mansion owned by... more

You May Also Like:

Q&A: Lance Gumbs Says Agreement With State for Highway Access Would Benefit Everyone

In the 1600s, Dutch traders began trading for wampum made by the Shinnecock Nation, one ... 22 Nov 2024 by Joseph P. Shaw

VIEWPOINT: Conscience Point: Vital to the History of Southampton

By Sarah Kautz Many are asking why the Conscience Point Historic Site is so vitally ... by Sarah Kautz

A New Low

The full-page ad by East Coast Mines and Materials in the November 21 edition of The Press strikes a new low. Those who collaborated on this vile attack are far beneath contempt. Briefly, the ad claims cooperation between the supervisor and a landowner who allegedly contributed to her campaign in the 2023 election, to close sand mines owned and operated by East Coast, so as to increase the value of surface property developed by the alleged donor. This fabrication completely ignores New York State law, which recognizes that sand mines are a mortal threat to Long Island’s precious sole-source aquifer, ... by Staff Writer

Misleading Ad

The egregious full-page ad in the November 21 edition of The Southampton Press regarding Sand Land Mine operations in Southampton Town is misleading and wrong. The ad, designed to encourage readers to doubt the many-years effort to close the polluting Sand Land Mine operations, is by an East Quogue group, East Coast Mines and Minerals, and asserts that, “There is not a single study to justify their claims of groundwater contamination.” Assemblyman Fred Thiele, the Group for the East End and the Noyac Civic Council beg to differ. The East Hampton Star, quotes Mr. Thiele: “Sand Land is a proven ... by Staff Writer

Community Sing-Along Coming Up

All are invited to Community Holiday Sing-Alongs in the parking lot of The Church in Sag Harbor. Two gatherings are planned, Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1; both are from 1 to 2 p.m. and will be led by Lola Lama. Also coming up at The Church is a Community Holiday Party on Friday, December 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for members. Expect light bites, drinks, music, and holiday vibes plus live performances. It will also be a final chance to bid on the silent auction to benefit The Church. ... by Staff Writer

Shellabration Returns to Greenport To Support Cornell Marine Program

Shellabration, the North Fork’s ode to all things shellfish, returns for another season in Greenport Village, the weekend of December 7 and 8, from noon to 4 p.m. each day. Wristbands and sponsorship packages are now available and will give participants access to Greenport’s establishments to enjoy local shellfish, sustainable seafood, and wine and beer pairings during a weekend-long restaurant walk. New for this year, a VIP preparty the evening of December 6 will be hosted for all sponsors at Little Creek Oyster’s brand-new space, located at 211 Carpenter Street. Little Creek will join Greenport Brewery and First and South ... by Staff Writer

Heathside Cheer Event at Halsey House This Year

The Southampton History Museum’s annual Hearthside Cheer Holiday event will move to the historic Halsey House, 249 South Main Street in Southampton, this year due to ongoing restoration work at the Rogers Mansion. Hearthside at The Halsey House will take place on December 12 and 13, from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m., both evenings. Guests will enjoy an evening of festive cheer, including cider and hot cocoa, live music, and candlelit tours of the preserved historic Halsey House. House tours led by Timothy Van Wickler, the museum’s director of operations and programs, will guide visitors through the Halsey House’s interior, where ... by Staff Writer

Hotline Open To Save Cold-Stunned Turtles

The New York State Marine Rescue Center has issued a reminder that cold stun season is approaching and that its 24-hour stranding hotline is open for those who come upon a stunned turtle on the beach. The number to call is 631-369-9829. When water temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, the breathing rate and movements of sea turtles slow, making them unable to swim against currents or dive under the water surface. Due to this, the sea turtles are washed to shore by winds and tides. The New York Marine Rescue Center responds to these sea turtles and rehabilitates them ... by Staff Writer

Grant Workshop Offered for Groups With Mission to Preserve History

The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation will offer a free comprehensive grant workshop to Long Island and New York metropolitan area historic 501(c)(3) organizations at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium at 180 Little Neck Road in Centerport on January 14, 2025. The workshop will educate the area’s historic community on financial support that is currently available from the foundation and provide guidance on the grant application process. Presenting organizations at the workshop will include The Preservation League of New York, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s Sacred Sites, the Greater Hudson Heritage Network, East Hampton Library, Long Island University, ... by Staff Writer

Hometown Heros Program Returns

The Town of Southampton has launched the 2025 “Hometown Heroes Banner Program.” The initiative, spearheaded in 2023 by Councilwoman McNamara and Westhampton VFW Post 5350, aims to recognize and honor our local military men and women by displaying personalized banners with their picture and military service information in Good Ground Park in Hampton Bays. In an effort to expand the program, new this year, either banner sponsors or honorees must live or have lived in the Town of Southampton. Other locations to display the banners are in the works. “I’m proud to partner with the Westhampton VFW Post 5350 on ... by Staff Writer