Photos/Story Courtesy Lake Grove Office of the Fire Marshal
Centereach Fire Department received a phone alarm reporting a house fire at Henry Street and Jay Road in the central part of the district. Looking out the firehouse window, the dispatcher could see the glow in the sky and the alarm was re-toned out as a working fire.
2nd Assistant Chief Don Gleason and engine 5-5-12 were first in and encountered a heavy fire condition throughout the two-story building and through the roof. (Note the occupants of the house who were allegedly drunk and partying, attempted to fight the fire for almost 15 minutes prior to asking a neighbor to call the fire department).
Multiple handlines were stretched off two engines and one of the Quint's and after beating the fire back into the building crews from Engine 1 with Captain Losquadro and Engine 3 with Lieutenant Gehm entered the building to search and extinguish. Additional crews vented and overhauled.
Chief Gleason requested an engine to the scene from Selden FD an RIT from Ronkonkoma and an Engine to stand by from Setauket FD. Setauket was brought into the scene and put to work as was the Rapid Intervention Team and the Nesconset Fire Department (during overhaul). Setauket sent a 2nd engine to stand by for Centereach.
One Centereach firefighter was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with burns to his neck. Once the fire was placed under control, the Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshals Office was notified. While the fire is still under investigation, it is believed to have been the result of an improperly discarded cigarette. There were no working smoke detectors within this building.
