Historic Winfield Mansion in Glen Cove suffers extensive damage in fire

GLEN COVE, LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- A raging fire scorched the famed Winfield Mansion on Long Island Wednesday.

Firefighters put out a fire that broke out on the first floor of the building on Crescent Beach Road in Glen Cove and later spread to the second floor and cockloft.

It is believed the fire started in a massive formal sitting room parlor with enormous drapes, which allowed it to quickly spread.

Fire officials say the mansion suffered extensive internal damage, and scorched, blown-out windows could be seen from the exterior.

Up to nine departments responded to the scene, including Oyster Bay and Jericho. No one was inside the building when the fire broke out, and no injuries were reported.

According to neighbors, no one has lived at the location for at least a month, with the Carey family up in Massachusetts. The current homeowners are said to be related to former New York state Governor Hugh Carey.

The site, which was built 99 years ago on a 16-acre plot, was last up for sale about five years ago, for $19 million. It has been the shooting location for numerous TV shows and films, and just a few weeks ago, a Taylor Swift music video was shot there.

The mansion is formerly known as Woolworth Estate, built by F.W. Woolworth in 1916. The name Winfield comes from Woolworth's middle name, Frank Winfield Woolworth.

It was then purchased by the Reynolds family (think Reynolds Wrap), and in the 1960s and 1970s, it was used as a finishing school for young women who wanted to become flight attendants or models.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.