SELDEN, NY — Two people escaped from a seven-alarm blaze that broke out at the church rectory of St. Margaret of Scotland in Selden late Thursday night, authorities said.
The fire started at the College Road location, where the church's priests live, just before 11 p.m., and the pair of people escaped to safety, and were not hurt in the fire, Suffolk police said.
"Thanks be to God, no one was harmed," Diocese of Rockville Centre spokesman Father Eric Fasano told Patch. "But the damage to the residence and the destruction of the priests’ personal belongings is a tragic loss."
"We are grateful for the work and sacrifices of the dedicated first responders," he said. "We are not yet aware of the cause of the fire. "
No further information was immediately available from Fasano.
No one at the church was available to speak about the fire Friday morning.
Arson Squad detectives are investigating the blaze, police said.
The blaze drew seven different departments, including Selden, Holtsville, Coram, Centereach, Farmingville, Setauket, and Ronkonkoma, Suffolk's Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services said.
Three fire hoses were used in to extinguish the flames, and a tower ladder was also used to attack the fire from the top, a representative from FRES said.
It took around 40 minutes for firefighters to contain the fire, but firefighters from Selden and Holtsville were called back into action again at around 2:40 a.m. when smoke was reported at the location, according to FRES.
The Medford and Port Jefferson ambulance companies also responded to the fire.
Patch has reached out to the Selden Fire Department and Brookhaven Town Fire Marshal's office.
This is a breaking story and will be updated. Check back later.
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Sachem, NY Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.