Burnett Barn Fire Followup

Tuesday Morning, January 19, 2010—I did not stay to the bitter end at the fire scene Monday night, but Tuesday morning pretty well reveal the inevitable.

Photo by Marty Van Lith

I believe that is Jen Puleston Clement examining the scene. In the background is the Hawkins Barn, carefully restored by Tom & Ellen Williams.

Photo by Marty Van Lith

The following is a digitally enhanced picture taken as I approached the scene from across the farm field from the Rowley's backyard. While it doesn't show much detail, and the fire department is already applying large quantities of water, the extent of fire involvement is obvious.

Photo by John Deitz

Finally, a pen and ink sketch of "The Red Barn" by nearby neighbor Ann Wiswall:

One correspondent said the fire brought back memories of the Phillips barn fire of several decades ago (the house at 334 Beaver Dam Road.). Does anyone remember when this fire actually occurred?

Burnett Barn in Brookhaven, NY Destroyed by Fire

The historic Burnett Barn in Brookhaven hamlet was destroyed by fire Monday evening, January 18, 2010.

The barn was originally a part of the Burnett Farm. This barn was constructed about 1900, likely replacing another barn on the farm. It was one of the few remaining barn structures in the Hamlet -- once largely a farm community, and is typical of the small farm barns of the late 19th, early 20th centuries. It had been used for many informal community events, and most recently as the centerpiece of the HOG (Hamlet Organic Garden).

When I first realized that the fire department was responding to my neighborhood, I looked out the windows to see if I could see anything. Flames were leaping into the air some 60-70 feet at what I thought might be the Burnett barn. By the time I got my shoes on, found the camera, and got out the door (maybe 3-4 minutes), the fire department had already knocked the flames down considerably.

But it was clear that the building was totally involved when they arrived.

Even though they quickly brought the fire under control, it regularly flared up again. It was clear that the building was not safe to enter, and there were several rooms and a partially concealed attic space.

I'll get more pictures tomorrow.

Carmen/Miller Cemetery Restoration Progresses

Today cleared up much earlier than forecast but given the ~2" of rain this morning and the wet ground I think we made the right decision to wait until Tuesday to resume.


According to most written accounts, Sam Carman, Daniel Webster and the tavern crew imbibed quite a bit. The day usually ended with Webster being carried upstairs to his room. Given the historical alcoholic haze though which the folks interred here saw things, this fence would look perfectly straight to them.

-- Marty

Bellport High School History Club Works at Historic Barteau Cemetery

On Sunday, November 23, 2008, students with the Bellport High School History Club worked to clean up the historic Barteau Cemetery in Brookhaven Hamlet. The work was done under the auspices of the Fire Place History Club members Marty Van Lith and Ron Kinsella.