The Westhampton Beach and East Quogue fire departments were called out for a vehicle fire on Old Riverhead Road. Westhampton Beach’s Third Assistant Chief Jeff Wachenfeld was first on scene and encountered a propane truck with its cab fully involved in the parking lot just south of the Sunrise Highway exit ramp. The first-due engine from Westhampton Beach arrived shortly thereafter and its crew deployed two lines to pour water onto the truck’s cab and tank simultaneously. They were soon joined by firefighters from East Quogue who responded with three engines and a chief. Both departments continued to pour water on the truck until it could be determined that all fire had been extinguished and that the tank was sufficiently cooled. Westhampton Beach responded with two engines, a tanker, and two chiefs. Fire police also responded. Both departments responded because the fire was located within feet of the boundary line for the two fire districts.
– Fire News photo by John Neely
