Baywood debris fire smolders -- but under control

A wind-whipped fire at a Baywood industrial park that burned for nearly 24 hours deep inside a massive pile -- much of it superstorm Sandy debris -- was finally extinguished by late Monday morning, officials said.

It took as many as 175 firefighters from more than 40 fire departments to douse the fire, which started early Sunday afternoon just south of Corbin Avenue and South Fourth Street, officials said.

By 11 a.m. Monday, the fire was out and a small group of Brentwood firefighters stood guard over the smoldering pile of tree stumps, branches and other vegetation dumped there after crews collected it after Sandy.

It was still unclear what caused the pile to ignite, said a Brentwood Fire Department spokesman.

It was also unknown whether fumes from the fire contained any toxic substances. The state Department of Environmental Conservation, which regulates solid waste management facilities, did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

Four firefighters sustained minor injuries, said Brentwood Fire Department Chief Javier Valentin, adding that it was unclear how long the contingent of firefighters would be ordered to stay at the site to douse any flare-ups.

Valentin said the mountain of debris covered between 500 to 1,000 feet.

Suffolk police said all roads in Deer Park and Baywood surrounding the scene of the fire were reopened just before 11:30 a.m. Monday. The industrial park contains concrete, stone and asphalt operations.

Smoke from the blaze, as well as accessibility issues for emergency vehicles, had closed Grand Boulevard in both directions between East Industry Court and Corbin Avenue, Suffolk County police said.

Corbin Avenue also was closed in both directions between South Second Street and Howells Road.

With Jennifer Barrios, Emily Dooley, Zachary R. Dowdy, Laura Figueroa and John Valenti