SAYVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO EARLY MORNING APARTMENT FIRE

In the early morning on October 19th Sayville Fire Department volunteers were called out to a kitchen fire at Colonial Apartments on Overton Street and Lincoln Avenue with a report of six trapped occupants. Sayville responded with 6 fire trucks. Bayport firefighters and Holbrook's Chief also came to lend a hand.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw smoke on the second story of the apartment building. Members entered the fire apartment through a window and conducted a search for trapped victims. Fortunately, the occupant had already gotten himself out. Unfortunately, he was having difficulty breathing and suffering from what appeared to be smoke inhalation. He was transported to the hospital by Community Ambulance volunteers.

Meanwhile, firefighters entered through the first floor entrance and went upstairs, where they quickly extinguished the kitchen fire. When firefighters forced entry into an adjacent apartment to do a search, a resident woke up and got herself out of the apartment. She was also transported to the hospital for what appeared to be smoke inhalation. Two of the first responding Police Officers were also transported to the hospital for what seemed to be smoke inhalation.

Firefighters continued to get everyone out of the apartments because the dangerous smoke had spread. However, one occupant was not willing to leave despite the dangerous smoke condition. He did not open the door when firefighters vigorously knocked, so the firefighters had to force the door to perform a search. Could another person be sleeping? Only after his door was forced and firefighters convinced the man of the danger of the heavy smoke, the occupant finally left the building. Unfortunately, he continued to yell and scream about the fact that his door was broken into and that he was forced to leave. Police Officers had to speak to him twice. It's unfortunate that firefighters had to be subjected to this individual while they are doing their best to save lives and property.

It's important to note that firefighters did not hear smoke detector alarms coming from the individual apartments affected by the smoke even though smoke was present. It was 2AM, smoke was leaking into the apartments and not everyone woke up and got out before firefighters arrived. This is a very dangerous scenario. Second Assistant Chief Tom Pantano, who was on the scene, would like to remind everyone of the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every floor of a house. It is preferable to have smoke detectors in every room. The earlier occupants are warned of dangerous smoke and fire, the chance of injury or death is reduced. Remember, a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. Seconds count!