Wantagh Fire Department Responds to Levittown Blaze

The  responded to a fire at 84 Elm Drive North in Levittown around 4:45 p.m. on Thursday.

"There was a lot of heavy, black smoke when we arrived," said Harry Loud, the Wantagh Fire Department's public information officer.

Loud said a hose line was extended through the front door and the firefighters crawled in. After gaining control of the first floor firefighters then moved up the stairs into the second floor to begin extinguishment. Additional units arrived to lend support and Wantagh Fire Chief Jeff Lindgren assumed command.

Loud added that the in-ground swimming pool in the backyard was an extra hurdle for the fire fighters, who were blinded by the thick smoke.

The male homeowner was in the house at the time, and he was transported by the Nassau County Police Department's ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bethpage with chest pains, reportedly from smoke inhalation.  He had escaped the fire but returned in an effort to save his pets, a move that any fire department would discourage, said Loud. 

Two dogs and a cat were saved with one dog sustaining burns. One firefighter received minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The wife was visibly upset, but not physically harmed, nor was the daughter, said Loud.

Loud said a few dogs and a cat were rescued from the home, but one dog was badly burned.

The  and the Bethpage Fire Department were also called to the scene. Together the three departments got the fire completely under control in about 40 minutes, Loud said.

One firefighter was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The Nassau County Fire Marshals office was requested to the scene for a routine investigation along with the Department of Public Works to spread sand on ice that formed, Loud said. The fire marshal concluded that the fire was accidental and had started in the first floor living room, Loud added.