Photo courtesy of Erin Stacey Vasslailli

A fast moving fire destroyed the Sip N' Twirl complex and gutted the Pavilion and at least one home near the Fire Island Pines commercial district late on Monday, Nov. 14.

Initial reports indicate the blaze broke out around 9:15 p.m. It quickly engulfed the Pavilion, C.F. LaFountaine, Sip N' Twirl, the Pines Bistro and a bay front home. Walter Boss of the Fire Island Pines Fire Department confirmed to The News around 11:20 p.m. that the fire gutted the Pavilion and La Fountaine. The Sip N' Twirl complex that includes the Bistro and a bay front home were destroyed. Businesses north of the Pavilion along the harbor were unscathed.

Three hundred firefighters from the Pines, Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Point O' Woods, Cherry Grove, Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Saltaire, Kismet, East Islip, West Islip, Hagerman, Sayville, Bellport, Great River and Bay Shore were among those from 31 departments that responded. It was the largest response to a fire on Long Island since the Sunrise Fire scorched thousands of acres of pine barrens in 1995.

"There was lots of smoke, lots of fire, lots of everything," said Ocean Beach Fire Department spokesperson Ian Levine.

There are no reported injuries, but firefighters continue to douse the fire under the Pavilion. Thick smoke continues to envelop the harbor.

Karen Boss told The News around 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, that bulldozers had demolished what was left of the Sip N' Twirl complex.

"It's just a pile of crap," she said.

FIP Ventures co-owner Andrew Kirtzman said shortly before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, that the Pavilion's facade that overlooks the bay remains. He described everything inside the gym, the flower shop and Island Properties as "completely destroyed."

"This is is obviously a very difficult night for all of us," posted Kirtzman on his Facebook page shortly after midnight.

"Please remember Fire Island Pines is more then just buildings, it is an institution, it is a community," added Sip N' Twirl owner P.J. McAteer. "We will survive!"

Log onto www.fireislandnews.info for further updates as they become available.