MEDIA RELEASE

WESTHAMPTON BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT

Sons of the Beach

FOR MORE INFO CALL: FRED BAUER 631-288-1486 or E-MAIL: fred@hentschelagency.com

October 2, 2006

Westhampton Beach, NY –The Westhampton Beach Fire Department responded to a

sructure fire at the Westhampton Beach High School Auditorium, Monday, October

2^nd at 4:43 pm.

The fire occurred when workers were welding inside the lobby accidentally ignited

drop cloths that were being used to protect the building. Workmen called the fire

department and then used a hose to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters arrived on scene to see a smoke filled auditorium and quickly removed the

smoldering drop cloths and then used the department’s tower ladder to access the

roof and used thermal imaging cameras to verify that there were no other areas that

may be burning.

There were no injuries to workers or firefighters. Firefighters were on scene for

approximately one hour along with members of the Westhampton War Memorial

Ambulance.

School board members Jim Hulme and Aram Terchunian both remarked that they

were thankful that the quick action of the workers and firefighters limited what could

have been costly fire to just smoke damage. We are very lucky to have a great fire

department in the community they both echoed.

The fire is under investigation by the Southampton Town Fire Marshal’s office.

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Attached photos by Fred Bauer, WHB-FD.