Crime & Safety
Officer Rescues Family From Devastating House Fire
The officer, who woke one of the residents after seeing the fire, helped the couple and their two kids escape. Sadly, the family dog died.
WEST BABYLON, NY - A Suffolk County Police officer rescued a West Babylon family from their burning home Tuesday morning — but tragically, the family dog didn't make it.
During routine patrol, officer Avital Donnenfeld saw smoke coming from Ecker Avenue and Route 109 at 3:55 a.m. After investigating he found the smoke was coming from the home on Ecker Avenue.
Donnenfeld was able to wake resident Theresa Hoffman, who alerted her husband, Jason, who was in the shower at the time. The Hoffmans and Donnenfeld helped the couple’s two sons, ages 6 and 12, to evacuate the home. No one was injured.
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Sadly, the family’s dog, Riley, a 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, died in the fire.
Arson Section detectives are investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to be non-criminal.
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Video courtesy of Bryan Lopez
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