Cat Dies In Nassau Point House Fire Sunday: FD

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A cat died in a Nassau Point house fire Sunday, officials said.

Southold Town police said that an active house fire broke out on Old Menhaden Road. According to the Cutchogue Fire Department, the structure fire broke out at 12:29 p.m.

The occupants of the home heard popping noises in the basement and were able to call 911 and exit the home after smelling smoke, the CFD said. Upon arrival of the first fire and police units, it was evident that there was a fire in the home — smoke could be seen coming from inside.

Upon further investigation, firefighters discovered that the basement and first floor of the home appeared to be full of smoke, with the conditions changing rapidly, the CFD said.

Firefighters entered and found heavy smoke and high heat conditions as they searched the home. Then, the fire was discovered burning in the basement, officials said.

No injuries were reported, the CFD said.

Firefighters quickly gained control and extinguished the fire, the CFD said.

In addition, firefighters were able to locate and save two of the family's cats, which were trapped in a first floor bedroom.

"A third cat was later located in the home and sadly perished due to the heavy smoke," the CFD said.

A majority of the fire damage was confined to the basement area, and required extensive overhaul to check for any remaining fire in the ceilings and walls, officials said.

The entire home suffered smoke and heat damage, the CFD said.

Firefighters were at the scene for about three hours, and traffic was detoured by fire police.

EMS and ambulance personnel from the CFD rescue squad and Stony Brook University's first responder unit were on scene throughout the fire, officials said.

Mutual aid was requested from neighboring departments: The Mattituck Fire Department responded with a rapid intervention team. Southold firefighters assisted with an engine and manpower, and the Greenport FD stood by at Cutchogue Fire Department headquarters with an engine crew.

The Suffolk County Police Department's arson squad is investigating the cause of the fire, which is not deemed suspicious, officials said.