Compass started 2016 strong with the merger of Strough Real Estate Brokerage in New York’s Sag Harbor in January, its third venture in the Hamptons — further solidifying the tech-savvy brokerage’s presence on the East Coast.
Sadly, the company’s new Sag Harbor office, located right next to the city’s historic Sag Harbor Cinema, went up in flames early on Dec. 16 — the casualty of a fire that apparently started on the back deck of a nearby coffee shop.
According to a report by Southampton Patch, firefighters on the scene said the office was “so compromised” they couldn’t go inside. Instead, first responders had to perform a “surround and drown,” which means they were able to fight the fire from the outside only.
The Strough Associates Twitter account sent out this message shortly after the fire started:
And this one later in the day:
In addition to the loss of Compass’ office, a number of other businesses were destroyed, including the historic cinema.
“We are grateful that everyone in the Compass family and the community is safe. As we work through this with our neighbors and the entire town of Sag Harbor, our agents and staff will temporarily work out of our nearby Bridgehampton office,” said Senior Managing Director of Sales John Gicking.
“We all owe a debt of gratitude to the first responders who ensured everyone’s safety and prevented further damage.”