More Than 100 Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Smithtown House Fire: FD

SMITHTOWN, NY — More than 100 firefighters battled a three-alarm house fire in Smithtown for over three hours Saturday after an 82-year-old resident escaped the burning home with life-threatening injuries, fire officials said.

The Smithtown Fire Department was dispatched to 115A Oakside Drive around 5:56 p.m.

Assistant Chief Palazzo, the first chief officer to arrive, found most of the home engulfed in flames and the injured resident on the front lawn, according to the department.

The man, who had evacuated the home on his own, was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital with severe burns and smoke inhalation, Suffolk County police previously said.

A second resident and a firefighter suffered minor injuries and were also taken to hospitals for evaluation and treatment, fire officials said.

Firefighters deployed multiple handlines and master streams while facing a heavy fire load, rapidly deteriorating conditions and several structural collapses, according to the department.

The response was elevated to three alarms, drawing firefighters and emergency personnel from Smithtown and neighboring departments. The fire was declared under control at about 9:35 p.m., more than three and a half hours after the initial dispatch.

“This was an extremely challenging fire that required a tremendous effort from our members and our mutual aid partners,” Chief of Department Dongvort said. “I am incredibly proud of the professionalism, teamwork, and dedication displayed by everyone on scene under very difficult conditions.”

Mutual aid and standby assistance was provided by the Nesconset, St. James, Commack, Kings Park, Hauppauge, Nissequogue, East Northport, Central Islip, Stony Brook and Ronkonkoma fire departments, as well as the Central Islip-Hauppauge Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Dongvort said the department’s thoughts were with the injured residents and wished the firefighter a speedy recovery.

“We also extend our sincere appreciation to the neighboring departments whose assistance ensured we were able to protect our community throughout this prolonged incident,” he said.

After firefighters completed suppression efforts, the scene was turned over to the Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad.

Police said Saturday night that the cause of the fire was believed to be non-criminal.