On Saturday December 10, 2022 at 10:51 AM Wading River Fire Department (WRFD) was notified of a possible structure fire at 658 Sound Ave in the Ramblewood Mobile Home Park. The Wading River Fire District Paramedic (6-3-80) arrived on scene in under 2 minutes and notified responding 1st Assistant Chief Kevin Berg (6-3-31) that he had an active fire with flames showing. Chief Berg notified Suffolk County Fire-Rescue of the working structure fire (13-35) and asked that they start WRFD’s mutual-aid plan which would bring additional resources from our neighboring agencies to help.
Upon his arrival, Chief Berg found the mobile home to be fully involved with fire visible from all 4 sides of the structure. Chief Berg established command and after completing his 360 survey of the scene he contacted FRES for an additional engine to the scene due to the multiple exposures and hazards involved. The fire was impinging on two 500 gallon propane cylinders attached to the home and the radiant heat was damaging the neighbors homes on 3 of the 4 sides. Chief Berg was also able to determine, thru multiple sources, that the resident was not at home and that the resident had multiple cats.
Arriving shortly thereafter, 2nd Assistant Chief Mark Donnelly (6-3-32) and 3rd Assistant Chief Tom Whelan (6-3-33) and were put to work by Chief Berg to handle operations, safety, and water supply. Ex-Chief Randy Hintze was assigned to staging for the mutual-aid units.
Engine 6-3-1 arrived on scene 10 minutes after activation and established a water supply from a hydrant and the crew stretched multiple handlines to protect the exposures and then knock down the fire. Followed by personnel on engine 6-3-11 and Heavy Rescue 6-3-10. WRFD EMS unit 6-3-16 was on scene standing by in case of any injuries. Chief Berg declared the scene under control with all visible fire knocked down approximately 7 minutes after engine 1’s arrival (17 minutes from activation time).
Due to the heavy fire damage and extensive overhaul was needed and, in the process, unfortunately it was discovered that the residents’ multiple cats had perished in the fire.
Crews from Rocky Point and Manorville Fire departments helped at the scene with extinguishment and overhaul. Riverhead and Ridge Fire departments stood by to cover WRFD for any additional alarms. Brookhaven National Laboratory was assigned as the rapid intervention team (RIT). Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance responded and assisted with firefighter rehab and was available for any additional EMS calls in town. PSE&G responded to secure the electric and the propane supplier responded to secure the propane tanks.
There were no reported injuries to any fire or EMS personnel. The scene was turned over to the Southampton Town Fire Marshall for cause and origin determination as none of the Riverhead fire marshals were available.
During this incident one of the residents approached the chiefs with a complaint about how hard it was to notify WRFD as he had to select multiple prompts to try to get to a person to report the fire and how long it took for us to respond. After a quick review of the facts, it was determined that that resident was calling a non-emergency number for the incorrect agencies which led to his frustration and possibly a delay in the correct agencies being notified.

The Chiefs of WRFD would like to remind the residents that Wading River Fire Department provides fire and EMS response to multiple hamlets (Wading River, East Shoreham, North Ridge and Calverton) which are in the Riverhead and Brookhaven townships. The BEST way to get ANY Emergency Service (Fire, EMS or Police) is to call 911.

The Chiefs of the WRFD would like to thank all of the responding agencies for the continued support and RPFD Ex-Chief Terry McCarrick for some of the photos.