Wind-swept fire leaves several Sayville businesses boarded up
Fire officials say no one was hurt in the blaze and that the cause is unknown.
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A fire in downtown Sayville has left several businesses on Main Street boarded up.
The Sayville fire chief told News 12 that flames were first spotted late Friday afternoon in the former location of Cafe Joelle which was closed and undergoing renovation.
Eight businesses have been impacted by the fire. Some had smoke and water damage. Others were destroyed.
The fire chief said heavy wind was a factor and the flames spread quickly. Several fire departments responded.
Fire officials say no one was hurt in the blaze and the cause is unknown.
The owner of Paper Doll Boutique said she was in her vintage clothing store with two customers and their 6-week-old baby at the time of the fire.
“They started to panic and ran out. I went back to the register to grab the money and then I went back to try to grab the Halloween costumes...it was already starting to fill with black smoke...I saw flames filling the Cafe Joelle window. Then just pulled my car out, watched it burn down,” said Dominique Maciejka.
After hearing about the devastating fire, dozens of people came by to offer hugs and help, even fashion designer and Long Islander Michael Kors.
“When I think about Paper Doll Vintage, I’ve been a vintage lover my whole life and there aren’t a lot of remarkable vintage stores in the whole country, and this is always a place where we always find these special finds. To see such a dream and such a special place destroyed, it’s really, it’s just heartbreaking,” said Kors.
The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce organized a fire relief fund for donations. The businesses need monetary contributions, office space and supplies to build a pop-up store.
Eileen Tyznar, of the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce, said, “Pull together. Support everybody, especially in the season of giving. These people are going to need it.”
