6 Pets Rescued From Dix Hills House Fire

Six pets were rescued and the homeowner was hospitalized from a Dix Hills house fire that broke out on Monday morning, fire officials say.

Members of the Dix Hills Fire Department responded to the Seneca Avenue home to find a heavy smoke and fire condition in the kitchen of the one-story home at 11:17 a.m.

Three cats and three dogs were rescued following a search of the home. The animals were given oxygen using special pet-sized masks. Two of the cats suffered burns and smoke inhalation while the third cat did not survive.

The surviving cats were transported to an animal emergency hospital in Commack by Dix Hills firefighters. The dogs were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. All animals were treated by EMTs from the Dix Hills Rescue Squad and assisted by a veterinary technician from the Melville Fire Department.

The homeowner suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation and was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital by Dix Hills Rescue Squad.

The blaze was under control within 40 minutes and was contained to the kitchen with slight extension to the attic, officials say. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Suffolk Police Arson Squad and Huntington Town Fire Marshal.

About 60 firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene with seven trucks, three ambulances as well as rehab, paramedic and first responder units. All units were under the direction of Chief Tom Napolitano and Assistant Chiefs Alan Berkowitz and Brett Tepe.

The Commack, Deer Park, Melville and Greenlawn fire departments, Suffolk Fire-Rescue Coordinators and Suffolk Police provided assistance.

Information in story provided by Public Information Officer Steve Silverman, Photos by Steve Silverman