(Updated: 5 p.m.) The Suffolk County Police Department arson squad is investigating the cause of the fire at the former 84 Lumber site in Riverhead Wednesday.
Firefighting efforts were hampered by the placement of concrete “Jersey barriers” at entrances to the building, First Assistant Chief Kevin Brooks said. The fire department got pay loaders from the Riverhead Highway Department to remove the concrete barriers, Brooks said.
Riverhead Fire Department received reports of heavy smoke pouring out of the former 84 Lumber building on West Main Street, shortly after 2:30 this afternoon.
First responders on the scene immediately called for mutual aid from Flanders, Jamesport, Wading River and Ridge fire departments, as well as an ambulance from Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Route 25 is closed between Kroemer Avenue and Tanger as firefighters combat the fire.
The lumber yard has been vacant since 84 Lumber closed its Riverhead location in 2012 after 28 years of business.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
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