March 27, 2015
UPDATE: Ice Palace Nightclub Spared in Cherry Grove Fire
EDGE READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Save the "disco inferno" comments for another day.
More details are emerging about the fire that started in the early hours Friday morning and tore through the gay vacation community of Cherry Grove on Fire Island. Aerial photos released by Newsday that show extensive damage to the Cherry Grove Beach Hotel and numerous homes on neighboring Holly Walk, are revealing little or no damage to the famed Ice Palace nightclub.
A post on the Facebook page of the Fire Island Pines Historical Preservation Society reads:
While we catch our breath regarding today's events, let's express our gratitude to all the firefighters who continually keep our communities safe.
A post, not confirmed, advises that most of Holly Walk is gone. The "Holly House," "Carousel Guest Home" and "Kokomo" also seem to have perished. The hotel will be torn down; while the Ice Palace suffered minor damage. Two firefighters with minor injuries. Again, this is not confirmed and will provide you update as we receive it.
As previously reported by EDGE , The fire was first reported around 1:30 AM, at which time numerous fire departments from Fire Island were called to battle the flames. Fire companies Sayville, West Sayville and seven other mainland fire departments and ambulance companies on Long Island travelled by boat across the Great South Bay to fight the inferno.
With its lack of roads and narrow wooden boardwalks, fires are particularly devastating on Fire Island. Off-season, when the island's communities are deserted, they can be catastrophic. In November of 2011, a fire that took 400 local firefighters to battle destroyed the Pavilion and Sip 'N Twirl nightclubs in neighboring gay community Fire Island Pines. Both businesses have since been rebuilt.
The cause of Friday's fire remains unknown.
