Fire at Islip tree company ‘criminal in nature,’ police say

Arson Squad detectives are investigating a fire that damaged four tree service company trucks and a building early Monday morning in Islip, Suffolk County police said.

The fire at Anderson’s Tree Service, located on the eastbound Sunrise Highway service road between Commack Road and Saxon Avenue, was reported at 4:55 a.m. Fire officials said Islip Fire Department firefighters responded to the scene.

There were no reported injuries.

But police said four vehicles were set on fire and the adjacent building also was damaged.

Police said the fire is “criminal in nature” and are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”