New Hamptons hotspot burns to the ground a day before Memorial Day weekend opening – as cops investigate what started nightclub restaurant fire
- La Maison Close Montauk was scheduled to open today in time for Memorial Day weekend
- On Thursday evening, just hours before the scheduled opening, the restaurant caught fire and burned to the ground
- Footage taken at the scene shows the entire restaurant completely in flames, with damage said to be ‘irreparable’ according to officials
A New Hamptons restaurant was destroyed by fire just days before it was scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend.
La Maison Close Montauk was due to open for the holiday weekend and was due to start serving customers on Friday.
But Thursday night, hours before opening, the restaurant caught fire and burned to the ground.
Footage taken from the scene shows the building completely engulfed in flames as crews battle to fight it off.
The local fire department also said the venue had patrons inside during its ascent, but they all escaped to safety.
Eddie Ecker, captain of the Montauk Fire Department, told the East Hampton Star: ‘When our first responders arrived, the building was completely submerged.
Firefighters said when they arrived at the scene the full restaurant had been completely engulfed in flames
The local fire department also said the venue had patrons inside during its ascent, but they all escaped to safety.
Firefighters said they deployed two tanker trucks along a tower ladder to fight the blaze
“We responded with several devices: two pumpers, two tank trucks, our ladder tower and a few ambulances. There were customers in there, but everyone was safely evacuated.
Captain Ecker also told the news site that the building had been damaged beyond repair and that twice Friday morning the fire had managed to reignite.
East Hampton Chief Fire Marshal David Browne told DailyMail.com the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The restaurant brand launched in New York’s SoHo in July 2022 and was “inspired by France’s inherent distinct culinary culture and its celebration of shared spaces.”
In a statement, the restaurant said: “We are heartbroken to share that last night a fire devastated the Maison Close Montauk property.
“Fortunately no one was injured and we are grateful to the Montauk Fire Department for their assistance.
“We would also like to thank our friends and the community for their support during this time.
“We were excited to bring the unique Maison Close experience to Montauk. We will be back.’
Smoke from the fire could be seen from afar in the final hours of Thursday
Footage of the fire has also surfaced on social media, showing the blaze completely taking over the new restaurant
The popular New York-based hotel was due to open its new location today
Montauk Restaurant was to be the restaurant brand’s second venture after opening in New York’s SoHo in July 2022.
In a statement posted on their website, they said their restaurant was “inspired by France’s distinct culinary culture and its celebration of shared spaces.”
