Suffolk County Police Department Fourth Precinct officers responded to a fire that left several domesticated and wild animals dead and injured a Suffolk County Police Officer and a Nesconset firefighter.
Suffolk County Police Officer Steven Tracy was the first to respond to the fire at 125 Midwood Avenue, Nesconset, at 5:05 p.m. Officer Tracy entered the residence and found several people in need of assistance exiting the burning home. After assisting the residents to safety, he learned there were a large number of domesticated cats, dogs and several wild animals still inside. Firefighters began rescuing as many animals as possible, but more than a dozen animals were killed in the blaze.
The dead animals included nine cats, two dogs, two rats, and a crow. An additional 15 cats, nine dogs, two doves and two raccoons survived the fire. One of the raccoons bit a Nesconset Fire Department fireman. Officer Tracy suffered from smoke inhalation and a shoulder injury. Both Officer Tracy and the injured fireman were transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center.
Firefighters from Nesconset, Lakeland, Hauppauge, Smithtown and Nissequogue assisted in fighting the blaze.
The Fire Marshall's office is investigating the cause of the fire and charges related to the housing of the wild animals are pending.