New Hamptons hotspot burns to the ground one day before Memorial Day weekend opening – as cops probe what sparked restaurant-nightclub blaze
- Maison Close Montauk had been due to open today in time for the Memorial Day weekend
- On Thursday night, only hours before it was due to open, the restaurant caught fire and burned to the ground
- Images captured on social media show the whole restaurant completely ablaze, with damage said to be ‘irreparable’ according to officials
A New Hamptons restaurant has been destroyed by fire just days before its planned Memorial Day weekend opening.
Maison Close Montauk was slated to open for the holiday weekend and was due to open today.
On Thursday night, just hours before opening, the restaurant caught fire and burned to the ground.
Images shared on social media show the full building completely engulfed in flames.
The local fire department also said that the building had patrons inside when it went up, but they all escaped safely.
The popular New York based hotel was due to open its newest location today
Eddie Ecker, captain for the Montauk Fire Department told the East Hampton Star: ‘When our first responders arrived, the building was fully engulfed.
‘We responded with multiple apparatus: two pumpers, two water tankers, our tower ladder, and a couple of ambulances. There were patrons in there, but everybody was safely removed.’
Captain Ecker also told the news site that the building was damaged irreparably and that twice on Friday morning the fire had managed to rekindle.
Chief Fire Marshal for East Hampton David Browne told DailyMail.com that the cause of the fire was still under investigation.
The restaurant brand launched in New York City’s SoHo in July 2022 and was ‘inspired by the distinct dining culture inherent to France 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.
‘Thankfully no one was hurt and we are grateful for the Montauk Fire Department for their assistance.
‘We also want to thank our friends and the community for their support during this time.
‘We were looking forward to bring the unique Maison Close experience to Montauk. We will be back.’
The Montauk restaurant was to be the second instalment by the restaurant brand after they opened in New York City’s SoHo in July 2022.
In a release on their website, they said their restaurant was ‘inspired by the distinct dining culture inherent to France and its celebration of shared spaces’.