Man hospitalized in critical condition after house fire in Seaford, officials say

Multiple agencies responded to a house fire in Seaford on Monday evening that left the dwelling’s sole occupant hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.

Just before 7 p.m. Monday, the Seaford Fire Department received calls of a house fire at a two-story dwelling on Cresent Cove drive in the gated Cresent Cove community, Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said at the scene at approximately 9:15 p.m. Monday. He said approximately 100 members of the Seaford Fire Department responded to the calls, as well as members of Wantagh, North Massapequa and other fire departments, plus Nassau County police.

“They had heavy fire upon arrival and they also had a report of an occupant trapped on the second floor,” Uttaro said. “Firefighters got on scene quickly, made a really aggressive effort, got upstairs, grabbed that individual and got them to the front door to a waiting ambulance and EMS crews.”

The victim, who Uttaro would not identify Monday evening, was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in “critical condition.” Uttaro did not have any updates on his condition as of 9:15 p.m. Monday.

Neighbor Diane Santonino said she witnessed the fire Monday evening from across the street, and described the scene as “chaotic.” She said a woman she recognized as the elderly occupant’s care taker was screaming that he was in the house. She described the man now in the hospital as “quiet” and “a very nice gentleman” who she hopes he “is OK.”

“It happened very very fast,” she recalled. “The flames just started coming out of the window, and then it started going down to the bottom floor.”

Uttaro said first responders quelled the fire in about an hour.

“The house sustained heavy damage and right now our fire investigators are on scene working to determine the cause,” he added.