Lightning Strike Ignited Camp FIre
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Melville firefighters responded after lightning strikes caused a fire that damaged two buildings at Usdan summer camp in Wheatley Heights. Photo by Steve Silverman
By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
Melville firefighters responded to a fire Tuesday night that damaged several buildings at a summer camp for the arts.
Following a vicious thunderstorm, the Melville Fire Department received reports of a lightning strike and smoke at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts at 185 Colonial Springs Road in Wheatley Heights, just over the Babylon-Huntington border.
Firefighters arrived at approximately 7:19 p.m., Aug. 14 to find one building fully engulfed with fire and a second building heavily damaged, according to fire officials.
Fire officials said that around 75 first responders, under the command of Chief Chris Nolan and Assistant Chief Dave Kaplan, were able to bring the fire under control within 30 minutes.
The fire was under control within 30 minutes, ire officials said. Photo by Steve SIlverman
Crews from Dix Hills, East Farmingdale, Huntington Manor and Plainview fire departments provided support at the scene, where firefighters remained for an additional two hours to ensure that extensive overhaul of the buildings did not reveal any additional fire, according to fire officials.
In a letter to the Usdan community on Facebook Tuesday night, the camp’s executive director Lauren Brandt Schloss thanked the first responders.
“Their quick and efficient work ensured minimal impact on our campus,” Schloss said.
She said the camp’s grounds will be closed to non-Usdan staff for the remainder of the week, and the office will re-open as usual on Sept. 4.
The camp completed its 50th summer offering musical and artistic instruction to students last week.
Schloss also thanked the members of the Usdan community for their support.
“This summer, nearly 2000 students and staff, along with their families, brought these grounds to life,” Schloss said. “Together, we can, and will, weather any storm.”
The Huntington Fire Marshall and Suffolk PD Arson Squad responded to the scene and are investigating the cause of the fire.
