It’s the end of an era. A huge fire tore through Fire Island’s The Pines area last night, destroying landmarks such as the Pavilion, the Bistro, and The Sip N’ Twirl. Straight landlubbers might not get it, but this is a tragic blow to gay culture. Apart from Provincetown and San Francisco, Fire Island has long been the physical location most commonly associated with the gay community.
News reports state that the fire started at around 9:15 PM. Its origin is currently unknown. One of the owners of Fire Island’s commercial properties is Andrew Kirtzman. He released a statement this morning.
“I am outside the Pavilion building, surrounded by over 100 firefighters from across Long Island. The fire is under control but is not completely out. Both the Pavilion and LaFountaine buildings are still standing, but they have been completely gutted by fire and water. Sip n’ Twirl, the Bistro and the stores below them are in ruin. Then roof over the Pavilion is gone, and the high tea deck has been destroyed.”
Luckily, there were no injuries reported.
Several generations of gay men have been spending their summers on Fire Island; sharing vacation rentals, attending the hottest parties, and…er, “bird watching” in the wooded area commonly known as The Meat Rack. Manhunt has thrown some of our best parties on that deck that Kirtzman mentioned. We want to offer our condolences to all of our Manhunt members who called the island home when summertime rolled around, and we know that they’re going to rebuild it even bigger and better than before.
On a lighter note, there were 100 firemen there and no homos around to check them out? Bad timing. We know – too soon.
– J. Harvey
For more pics of Fire Island post-fire, Follow the JUMP:
Damn.. Next summer was to be my first time going.
A huge part of my 20s was spent there. How sad to see it in ruins.
Hope that it can be rebuilt. May not be the same, but just means we have to personalize it more to make it even better.
Never been, but such a shame :[
i lived on Long Island for about a year and I know that the Fire Islanders and others on long island will see to it that Fire Island will always be as wonderful for gay people as it always was. It is great to have a place where you can totally enjoy being you. I am so sorry for the owners and the neighbors of the damaged property but I am also positive that the re-birth of the area is going to be better than it was before.
My sincerest condolences to all who suffered injury pain or loss. My thoughts, blessings and prayers are with you. Kevin
The irony haha.
Surprising no one was hurt.
So sad to see a part of gay history burned, Fire Island is on my “bucket list” of places to visit… 🙁
Hopefully, it will be re-built and capture the past.
it has been burnt down before, if any of you watch Logo, you would know this…they show the documentary all of the time lol… but after it was rebuilt it was even better than before…I’m pretty sure the same thing will happen this time