Firefighters Battle Blaze That Displaces 3, Hospitalizes Fireman: FD

ISLIP, NY — Suffolk County Police Arson Squad detectives are investigating a fire that engulfed a home in Islip Tuesday morning, Islip Fire Department officials told Patch.

At around 8 a.m., Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services activated the Islip Fire Department after receiving multiple calls reporting a fire in the vicinity of Commack Road and 47th Street, officials said.

According to the fire department, Islip chiefs Gunst and Ferrari arrived within "one minute" of the activation and found a working fire in a one-story, ranch-style home at 238 Commack Road. Upon further investigation, the chiefs found "heavy fire" in the rear of the home and the back deck that had reached the first floor and attic.

The fire was brought under control in "a little over an hour."

All of the home's occupants were confirmed to be out of the house and had sought shelter at a neighbor's home, Islip Fire Department officials said. No injuries were reported.

In a Facebook post, fire department officials wrote:

"Islip crews stretched two attack lines to begin to control the fire and a third line was stretched by the East Islip engine crew upon their arrival. Crews initially darkened down the fire from the exterior in the rear and then made a push into the home.

"Simultaneously, Islip and Bay Shore truck companies mounted an aggressive primary search of the home, according to fire department officials.

"The fire conditions were very manpower demanding and the RIT team from Central Islip was then re-tasked as an additional truck company which brought West Islip’s standby ladder up to the scene as the new RIT team.

"The various mutual aid truck crews assisted with searches, overhaul and ventilation of the home."

According to fire department chiefs, the extreme heat caused damage to a neighboring home to the north and a car in a neighboring driveway.

Three firefighters were evaluated at the scene by EMS and one firefighter was transported and subsequently released from South Shore University Hospital for heat exhaustion.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Town of Islip Fire Marshals Office and the Suffolk County Arson Squad is investigating. However, the preliminary investigation "did not appear to be suspicious in nature, according to the fire department.

"The cause does not appear criminal," Suffolk police confirmed with Patch.

The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

Mutual aid was provided by numerous fire departments including East Islip, Islip Terrace, Bay Shore, Brentwood Fire, Central Islip, West Islip and North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company and EMS standby from the Exchange Ambulance of the Islips.