Caring North Fork Neighbors Saved A Home From Being Lost To Fire

MATTITUCK, NY — Neighbors helping neighbors has long been a mantra for North Fork residents.

And nowhere was the expression more true than when smoke was pouring from a house in Mattituck Tuesday night — and the quick-thinking actions of caring neighbors kept a home under construction from burning to the ground.

The smoke came from a house on Freeman Rd. off Wickham Ave. at 6:50 p.m. and was emanating from the basement of a home that was under construction, with no one inside, according to firefighters at the scene.

Neighbor Valerie DeFio said she was outside and "smelled an awful chemical smell." Her husband went to investigate, she said, and saw that a house nearby had smoke coming from inside; he called 911.

Firefighters rushed to the scene; no injuries were reported, firefighters said. Mattituck and Cutchogue Fire Departments responded.

(Lisa Finn)

"We are happy as I am sure the home owners are, that no real fire broke out. They were very lucky they didn't lose the house," DeFio said.

The DeFios also watched out for their 91-year-old neighbor, making sure that if she had to evacuate in a hurry, she could get out safely.

"I'm happy it wasn't too big of a deal and no one was hurt," DeFio said. "The real heroes are our fire departments."