Fire Damages Home of Community Leader

A fire Friday night damaged the home of the Rev. Bernadette Watkins, a longtime  community leader in Huntington Station.

Watkins said she was in the home Friday evening when she smelled smoke and “got out.” She was unsure of the condition of the large collection of African American memorabilia that she has maintained over the years.

She said that some of the materials were in the downstairs part of the house, which was most seriously damaged, and some upstairs. She said she would visit the boarded-up home Monday and meantime, is staying with relatives.

The Centerport Fire Department said it responded to a call about a house fire on Greenlawn Road in Huntington at 9:43 p.m.  Other departments, including  Greenlawn, Huntington, East Northport and Halesite, also responded.

No injuries were reported.

File photo of the Rev. Bernadette Watkins; Fire photo scene by the Centerport Fire Department.

Town Renames Street for Rev. Watkins, Community Leader