After The Fire Comes Help

Tommy Martin and Ricky O'Rourke Are Given A Helping Hand After Fire Destroys Residence

By T.J. Clemente

Arthur Schnieder of The Memory Motel, who helped organize a benefit for local fire victim’s at his motel last Tuesday. Photo by TJ Clemente

On Monday May 25, fire struck the basement apartment of Tommy Martin and Ricky O'Rourke, two Montauk personalities. The home on Fisher Place was mostly saved by the rapid, expert, brave work of the heralded Montauk Fire Department. However the basement apartment, where these men lived, was devastated by the fire and Ricky was taken by the Montauk Ambulance personnel to Southampton Hospital with acute smoke inhalation. Ricky explained, "We lost every thing, my big screen TV, my stereo, my clothes, my personal effects; in fact all that was saved was, like, three bags of clothes." Ricky went on to say, "I don't remember that much because the smoke really got to me. I want to thank Jimmy Grimes and all the rest of the Montauk Fire Department for saving my life and doing so much so quickly. I truly can't express my gratitude and thanks to them enough and that goes to the Montauk Ambulance crew who helped me so much on the way to the hospital. There sometimes just aren't enough ways to thank people." Ricky acknowledged that if he and Tommy had awoken any later, they most likely would have perished; fire officials put it as only 4 or 5 minutes later.

It is this humble, thankful spirit of Ricky O'Rourke that led the community of Montauk into action. As Arthur Schneider, long-time owner of Montauk icon, The Memory Motel, told me in his office, "Something had to be done. They needed help. Tommy and Ricky have been around here for years and everybody knows them, and with Ricky still sick and coughing we organized a benefit that we held at Memory on Tuesday night from 6 to like 10." The Three B's, a local Montauk band, and Suddyn, a band that is soaring in Ireland with strong Montauk roots, played for no charge. Over 100 people attended as the close-knit Montauk community, which acts as a large family in times of crisis and disasters, responded.

That is what makes Montauk the small fishing village of caring neighbors rather than just a tourist destination. From the building of the church to the whole Montauk Playhouse project and the many local charities, Montauk proves itself to be very giving community time and time again. There are almost weekly benefits at local establishments such as the Seafood Inlet, or the Old Harbor House for seriously ill neighbors, the misfortunate or even to keep the Monday Night Concerts on the Green going. But in this case it was for Ricky and Tommy.

As Arthur sat in his office at the Memory Motel his eyes were glued to his TV watching the latest reporting of the tragic Air France plane crash. His humanity was very evident as he watched report after report trickle in. As for Tommy and Ricky, he said, "We raised a good amount of money for the boys. The bands were very nice to play for free. The community came out and supported the fellas."

He admitted that it is the ability to help others in life that makes the hard work that brings success even more worthwhile, that sometimes humanity comes through. Sometimes it isn't all about profit, but about caring for and helping others, especially good friends down on their luck due to a fire.

As Ricky spoke to me, still recuperating in Amagansett at a place belonging to family, he said plainly, "I had no idea how bad (off) I was. I was dazed, and blacked out. The Montauk Fire Department saved my life. There is no way to say thank you enough, please put that in your article, hats off to them." Ricky hopes to be working again soon, hopefully in Montauk. He was still coughing from the smoke inhalation and still recovering from the loss of so much but he still had his wit. It is this grit that makes all Montauk characters unique. In the winter, when the ocean wind is blowing at night and the thermostat is well below freezing we gaze out to sea and see the flickering lights of commercial fishing boats, riding the winter waves. It takes a stern, hardy individual to persevere in the year-round Montauk environment, which is why the community always seems to rise to the occasion when help is needed. As Artie said, "We had to do something; I am just so glad so many others felt the same way. I am only glad I could help raise some money for the boys, it was a good thing." Next time you pass by the Memory Motel please think of this story, it has a happy ending.

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