Mattituck storage barn blaze quickly doused

A fire at a Mattituck waterfront fishing storage barn, which contained dozens of volatile liquids and gases, was quickly put out by the community's fire department, averting a more dangerous blaze, said an official on the scene.

"It could have been a far worse situation," Mattituck Fire Chief Samuel Bail Jr. said.

When Bail arrived on the scene at 2:45 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the barn, which sits at the end of East Mill Road, was engulfed in flames.

"There was a 3,000 gallon diesel fuel tank right next to it," Bail said, adding he could hear some small explosions inside the barn, which appeared to hold fishing equipment.

The department, with help from Cutchogue's volunteers, quickly put out the fire, he said. After dousing it with water and breaking down the walls, they discovered a large inventory of containers with flammable liquids, including dozens of propane canisters, several oxygen and acetylene tanks, and a few 55-gallon drums of oil.

While the building was destroyed, no one was hurt, including the 50 firefighters who fought the fire.

"No injuries," said Bail, adding the cause is under investigation. "It was a good day."