Occupant Saved in Central Islip

The Central Islip Fire Department was alerted fora house fire with possible people trapped on Oakland Avenue on March 14, 2023. Chief of Department Zaleski and Second Assistant Chief Vereline responded and were advised a memberon scene was confirming a working fire. The alarm was resounded as a working fire and mutual aid was requested. Upon the arrival of the Chiefs, they found a two-story home well involved on both floors and a female occupant hanging out a second-floorwindow. Two other occupants exited the house safely. Two Suffolk County police officers used a homeowner’s ladderto try and reach the woman before the fire department arrived. With the arrival of the first units, a ladderwas put to the window and two firefighters were able to remove the woman before the room became engulfed. Engine 3-7-3 was first due and was followed by Engine 3-7-2, Ladders 3-7-5 and 3-7-6. The ladders set up on eitherside of the front of the house and both were put into operation along with multiple hand lines due to the heavy fire load and high winds fanning the fire through house. With the bulk of the fire knocked down, the lines were brought into the house to extinguish remaining pockets of fire during overhaul. The fire was brought undercontrol in about 90 minutes, the occupant that was removed was brought to a local hospital with minorinjuries as were the two police officers. Mutual aid to the scene was provided by the East Brentwood, Lakeland and Hauppauge Fire Departments. Chief Zaleski was in the charge of the scene and the cause of the fire is underinvestigation.