Sep 17, 2014 12:08 PM

A gas can and rags soaked in gasoline were found just yards from a historic house engulfed in flames in Sagaponack early Monday morning. The fire is being investigated as a possible arson and Southampton Town Police are said to be looking for an individual who may have been at the scene shortly after the fire was reported.

The gas can and rags were found in the cemetery on Sagg Main Street, directly across the street from the burned house, according to firemen at the scene that morning.

Town Police took over the investigation from the town Fire Marshal's office after the Sufffolk County Arson Squad completed an examination of the building's remains on Monday afternoon. Investigators continued to pick through the charred rubble and burned-out hulk of the house on Tuesday.

Southampton Town Police have declined to comment on the investigation.

The house, portions of which are believed to date back to 1650, was engulfed in flames just before dawn on Monday morning. About half the house burned completely to the ground, the other half, believed to have been the oldest portion of the structure, was gutted by the flames but remains standing.

The home is located in the Sagaponack Village Historic District and included in the National Register of Historic Places. According to the registry, the northern most portion of the home was built circa 1650. It was expanded to the south in 1842 by Jesse Pierson and was later owned by Devereaux family who used it as a summer home. At some point the home was converted to a boarding house known as the “Hearthstone Inn" and was operated as such until 1962 when it changed hands again and was converted back into a summer residence.

Southampton Town Police detectives have taken over the investigation of Monday morning's fire at 850 Sagg Main Street after it was deemed suspicious by investigators.

After investigators from the Suffolk County Arson Squad did a technical examination of the fire scene on Monday afternoon, they turned over the investigation to the Town Police, although Arson Squad officers would not elaborate about what they found at the scene.

Town Police declined to offer any details of their investigation.

The charred remnants of the historic house, parts of which date back to the 17th century, rekindled twice on Monday, bringing fire crews rushing back to the scene.

The home's owner, Peter Smith, lives in Connecticut and could not be reached for comment about the fire.

Bridgehampton Fire Department crews have returned to the scene of this morning's fire after a portion of the building that remains standing rekindled shortly before noon.

A 17th century house in Sagaponack was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.

Firefighters were called to battle the blaze at the southern end of Sagg Main Street in Sagaponack shortly before 6 a.m. The structure was already fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived and the house, at 850 Sagg Main Street, was a total loss, according to witnesses.

The house, owned by part-time resident Peter Smith, was apparently empty at the time of the blaze, and there were no injuries reported from the fire.

The home is located in the Sagaponack Village Historic District and included in the National Register of Historic Places. According to the registry, the northern most portion of the home was built by the Pierson family circa 1650. It was expanded to the south in 1842 by Jesse Pierson, whose family used it as a summer home. At some point the home was converted to a boarding house known as the “Hearthstone Inn.” The home served as an inn until about 1962 when it changed hands again and was converted back into a summer residence.

The fire scene was managed by the Bridgehampton Fire Department with assistance from the Sag Harbor and Southampton fire departments and the Sag Harbor Ambulance Company.

As is the case with all fires, the Southampton Town Fire Marshall was on scene in an effort to determine the cause.

Firefighters were called to battle a blaze on the southern end of Sagg Main Street in Sagaponack early Monday morning.

Multiple departments were called to battle the fire, which witnesses said destroyed the home, reportedly of historical significance.

There were no injuries, witnesses said.

Further details were not available.