Man injured in house fire in West Islip late Friday night, police say

Suffolk County police are investigating a fire in West Islip that left one man injured and damaged a home just before midnight Friday, according to the Suffolk County Police Department and West Islip Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to the two-story house on Milligan Lane around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, according to West Islip Fire Chief Robert Celeste. 

“Upon arrival, when I got there, there was fire showing from all sides of the building, on both floors of the house,” Celeste said in an interview Saturday. “We got there pretty quick, within I would say two minutes of the notification. We had a rapid response,” the chief said.

A Suffolk police spokesperson told Newsday an injured man was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center for treatment. The police did not provide further information about the man’s status or the extent of his injuries.

The man was already outside of the home when the fire department arrived and had minor injuries, Celeste said.

Celeste said a heavy fire load and clutter inside the home made advancing “very tricky,” but praised the quick work of volunteers that got the fire under control in about 40 minutes. Seven additional departments responded to the fire, which Celeste said spread rapidly.

“We had a good attack on the fire,” he said. “We have a great group of firefighters that really go above and beyond to keep everyone safe.”

The West Islip Fire Department was assisted by Bay Shore, North Babylon, Babylon, West Babylon, Deer Park, Islip and Brentwood fire departments, Celeste said, estimating that there were about 125 volunteers at the scene.

Bay Shore and Brentwood ambulances were also at the scene.

No firefighters were injured, Celeste said. “Everyone came home safe, which is the most critical piece for me as the chief."

Suffolk police confirmed that its Arson Squad was looking into the incident. Such detectives typically investigate destructive fires, so the Arson Squad’s involvement does not necessarily indicate that police suspect foul play.

Celeste did not speculate on what may have sparked the blaze.

“It looks like the most extensive portion that was on fire was the rear of the house," he said. "But even after all my years, I just don't know ... what could have been the exact cause because there was extensive damage to both floors of the house."

Check back for updates on this developing story.