Animals Killed In Massive Riverhead Barn Fire; Officer, 2 Civilians Hospitalized

By Michael Mashburn From Daily Voice

A fast-moving barn fire tore through Wells Farm in Riverhead, killing several animals and sending a police officer and two others to the hospital.

The fire broke out just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the farm on Sound Avenue, according to Riverhead Police. Responding officers arrived to find a large section of the structure engulfed in flames.

Members of the Wells family told officers that the barn housed numerous farm animals. With their assistance, officers entered the burning structure and removed several animals to safety, according to police.

Riverhead Fire Department responded and quickly called for mutual aid due to the size and intensity of the blaze. Departments assisting included Jamesport, Flanders, Mattituck, Cutchogue, Wading River, Hampton Bays, and Eastport.

Sound Avenue remained closed for several hours as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was called in to monitor runoff due to the heavy amount of water used to extinguish the flames.

A Riverhead officer and two civilians were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and later taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center, police said.

The structure sustained significant damage, and multiple animals — including pigs and chickens — died in the fire.

The Long Island Humane Society responded to observe the condition of surviving animals.

Humane Long Island, a separate organization, said in a statement that some animals suffered burns, lacerations, and smoke inhalation.

The group said it offered to provide immediate veterinary care, but claimed the owner declined, saying the animals were “on their way out anyway” because it is a slaughter farm. Humane Long Island urged the family to consider allowing surviving animals to be placed in sanctuary and thanked firefighters who administered oxygen to a pig on scene.

Wells Farm later posted a message on Facebook thanking first responders and community members who helped remove animals from the barn and tend to those that survived.

“Also, I would like to thank those who helped save as many animals as possible and get them out of the building and into an outside pen where they could get fresh air and be tended to by our personnel,” Eric Wells Sr. wrote.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though officials noted it does not appear suspicious.