Crime & Safety

Fire Breaks Out on Amsterdam Ave.

Roof partially collapsed, firefighters treated on-site for heat-related injuries during the blaze.

Residents are safe after a fire broke out at 66 Amsterdam Ave. this afternoon at around 3:10 p.m.

Two children who live in the house and some friends were upstairs watching television when the fire started. The parents were not home, but all the children escaped safely. 

Fire units were confronted with a heavily involved structural fire. Firefighters were operating hoses both inside and outside of the structure when the fire chiefs at the scene ordered a full evacuation of the building.

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"The roof on the right front side of the fire building was in danger of imminent collapse," Firefighter and Chief Information Officer Jeff Bressler said.  "The roof partially collapsed. As soon as the chiefs evaluated the soundness of the structure firefighters returned to the building to ventilate and put water on the remaining fire."

Several firefighters suffered from heat exhaustion, fatigue and dehydration from the heavy blaze and humid air temperature and were treated in an on-site rehabilitation tent, according to Bressler.

The Commack, Kings Park and Hauppauge Fire Departments all responded to the call and the fire was extinguished by around 4:15 p.m.

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Residents believe the fire originated in the garage, but the cause is unknown at this time and is under investigation by the Smithtown Fire Marshal. The single-family residence suffered extensive damage on the upper level.

 


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