Suffolk police confirmed that a fire was reported at the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, located in Shoreham, at 4:49 p.m. on Tuesday. The fire was discovered at the corner of Tesla and Robinson streets. Dozens of firefighters from multiple departments were dispatched to the scene to put out the blaze.

Upon arrival, firefighters found flames leaping out of the northeast portion of the main building on the site, just below the famed peak of the building. Firefighters quickly sprang into action and were seen battling the blaze an hour later.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed to have started in one of the laboratories on-site. The Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe was once home to famed scientist Nikola Tesla’s final laboratory before his untimely death in 1943. The site has been a source of fascination for many years and has been visited by scientists and enthusiasts alike who are interested in learning more about Tesla’s work.

As this story continues to develop, we will provide updates as more information becomes available. Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday, and he is a Long Island native who joined Newsday in 2022.