Shelter Island Police Department said Tuesday that a propane-fueled hand torch a homeowner was using to make a plumbing repair ignited a North Midway Road house fire. No serious injuries were reported.
“A fire began in his workspace that he was unable to extinguish before it rapidly extended throughout the basement and continued throughout the entire residence,” SIPD Det/Sgt Jack H. Thilberg said in a news release. SIPD concluded the fire, called in around 3:33 PM on Monday, was accidental.
“Upon arrival, the Shelter Island Fire Department was met with a fully involved working structure fire that was consuming the
residence,” Thilberg said. “The single occupant of the residence had escaped with minor injuries, smoke inhalation, minor singing to his hair and face, and declined medical transport to a hospital.”
The Greenport Fire Department provided assistance, as did a volunteer Shelter Island Emergency Medical Services team.
“Although numerous firemen were screened and monitored by EMS, no firemen required treatment beyond screening and monitoring,” Thilberg said.
