Brentwood house fire displaces woman who lived there, fire official says

A fire in Brentwood displaced a woman after it tore through her two-story home on Saturday morning, prompting a response from at least five fire departments, according to Brentwood Fire Department’s First Assistant Chief David Rosado.

The fire started in the garage of the Whipple Street home sometime before 911 was called at roughly 7:30. Pictures from the scene show the flames spread throughout the home.

"There was a fire in the garage. I believe there was a vehicle in there. Not sure if it started because of the vehicle, but that’s where the fire was," Rosado said. "By the time we extinguished the fire, you had a fire on the first and second floor."

Rosado, who was on the scene, said the fire was under control by about 9:05. His department was assisted by firefighters from the Commack, Islip, Bay Shore and East Brentwood fire departments.

No one was hurt during the fire, but the home was badly damaged, according to Rosado. He said the Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced resident.

Neither Rosado nor the Suffolk County Police Department had any additional information about the woman’s age or identity.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by arson detectives with the Suffolk County Police Department, the agency confirmed. Such investigations are standard practice after any fire, regardless of whether criminal activity is suspected.

By Sam Kmack

sam.kmack@newsday.com

Sam Kmack covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and previously worked as a city watchdog reporter in the Phoenix metro area, as well as an investigative journalist at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.