9-Year-Old Seriously Burned In Dix Hills House Fire, Rescued By Officers: Police

DIX HILLS, NY — A 9-year-old child who was seriously injured in a house fire in Dix Hills on Wednesday evening was rescued by police officers who rushed into a smoke-filled home and carried him to safety, Suffolk County police said.

The fire broke out at a home on Marlin Street at around 5:05 p.m., prompting a response from Second Precinct officers after an off-duty Dix Hills volunteer firefighter spotted a woman unconscious on the front lawn and called 911.

When officers arrived, they found 39-year-old Nicole Heller suffering from a medical emergency outside the home, police said. At the same time, smoke was pouring from inside the house.

Officers Joshua Palas, Kevin Turner, and Daniel Giustino, along with the volunteer firefighter, immediately entered the residence and used fire extinguishers to knock down the flames, according to police.

As conditions worsened inside, the officers heard a child screaming from upstairs.

Palas pushed through heavy smoke and made his way to the second floor, where he located 9-year-old Jacob Heller inside a bathroom with severe burns, police said.

He carried the child out of the home to waiting first responders, who began emergency treatment at the scene.

Jacob Heller was transported by ambulance to Stony Brook University Hospital in serious condition, police said.

Nicole Heller was also taken to the same hospital for treatment related to her medical emergency.

Police said the fire is believed to be non-criminal in nature, but Suffolk County Police Arson Unit detectives are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arson Unit at 631-852-6024.