Fire tears through multiple Long Island homes; 1 dead, 3 hurt
One person died and three others were injured after a three-alarm fire tore through several Long Island homes Wednesday morning.
The Bellmore Fire Department said a house fire was reported around 4:36 a.m.
Firefighters tried to enter the burning house, but the flames kept them at bay. Meanwhile, a fire hydrant covered in snow and ice had to be dug, delaying operations.
Chief Ozechowski of the Bellmore FD, the fire spread to a second home after crews arrived.
“I saw the house across the street completely engulfed in flames and we ran down and watched him jump from one house to another,” neighbor Kathie Tinucci told News 12 Long Island.
Residents were able to escape the fire safely.
Both houses collapsed. A third was damaged.
It took at least 100 firefighters and 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, officials said. Firefighters finished operations at the scene around 8 a.m., Nassau County Fire Chief Michael Uttaro said.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal said a resident of the first home died at the scene. Another occupant was treated for smoke inhalation. No firefighters were injured.
Two Nassau County police officers who attempted to enter the burning home were also treated for smoke inhalation.
No details on the identity of the victims have been released.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by county fire marshals and the Nassau County Police Fire Brigade.
