East Hampton mansion, former home of billionaire Peter Morton, burns

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Thursday, March 19, 2015
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EAST HAMPTON -- Fire has torn through a multimillion-dollar oceanfront mansion in the Hamptons, destroying the home and sending smoke billowing over the beach.

East Hampton Village Fire Chief Richard Osterberg Jr. told Newsday the West End Road home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived around 2:35 p.m. Wednesday. Village Administrator Rebecca Molinaro said roofers were working on the house.

Osterberg said one firefighter suffered a minor injury. About 100 firefighters worked to quell the blaze on a windy afternoon.

Billionaire Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Peter Morton sold the home for nearly $22 million in 2008 to West End Partners LLC and that he was an officer in the company.

A message left for Morton at a West Hollywood, Calif., office hasn't immediately been returned.