5 injured in fire that severely damages Calverton home

Five people were treated for smoke inhalation early Friday after fire broke out inside a large, two-story home in Calverton, Riverhead police said. The fire also left the house severely damaged and caused several road closures in the area.

Around 3:41 a.m., the Riverhead Fire Department responded to a Middle Road home with heavy fire. Two adults and three youths in the home were transported to a hospital for smoke inhalation, Suffolk police said. 

About 50 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, including mutual aid from the Jamesport, Manorville, Wading River and Flanders fire departments, Riverhead Fire Marshal Liam Keating said.

The fire was declared under control at 5:10 a.m.  

The Fire Marshal's Office, the Riverhead Town Detective Squad and the Suffolk County Police Arson Squad also responded and are investigating the cause.

Around 5:42 a.m., police shut down Middle Road between Mill Road and Manor Road, including Deep Hole Road to Middle Road. The roads were reopened around 9 a.m., Keating said. 

Videos taken from the scene showed the fire had been mostly put out before 7 a.m. The left side of the home appeared to be completely destroyed, while the right side, which contains a two-car garage, also suffered fire damage.

An adjacent house appeared to still have smoke remnants and possible fire damage.

"It pretty much will be considered a total loss," Keating said about the damages to the house. 

Riverhead police said it's not the first time a fire broke out at this address. Keating said an investigation had previously taken place there but did not provide further details.

According to a September 2023 report posted by RiverheadLocal.com, a fire that appeared to have started in a pickup truck parked next to the home spread to the house.