A raging fire tore through the iconic Silver Gull Beach Club in Queens, causing massive damage, officials said Thursday.
The fire broke out about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday at the long-standing summertime haunt on Beach 193rd St. and Rockaway Point Blvd. in Breezy Point, FDNY officials said. It quickly escalated to three alarms amid concerns that the structure could collapse.
The private club opened in 1963. It consists of 457 cabanas, which the New York Times described in 2016 as “like large walk-in closets that serve as miniature beach houses,” often decorated elaborately by members who pass them on to their children. Day passes are also available.
“The first unit to arrive immediately transmitted a second alarm due to the heavy fire,” FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief David Simms said. “At the high point of the fire, we had five handlines operating due to collapse concerns. Units were pulled out of the building and we set up an exterior attack.”
In total 63 units and 193 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene, according to the FDNY.
It took approximately three hours to bring the fire under control. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a single structure housing 30 to 40 cabanas.
No one was injured, FDNY officials said. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
The beach-side property is owned by the National Park Service and the club is a long-time authorized concessioner.
The 1984 film “The Flamingo Kid,” starring Matt Dillon as a cabana boy in the 1960s, was filmed at the club. Marisa Tomei made her big screen debut with a minor role in the movie, which also starred Jessica Walter.
The club was extensively damaged in Hurricane Sandy in 2012 but managed to rebuild.
It was not immediately clear how the fire may impact the club’s reopening next season. The Daily News has reached out to the Silver Gull Beach Club management for comment.
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