Greenlawn House Fire Sends Heavy Smoke Over Upper Drive

GREENLAWN, NY — A house fire damaged a residence on Upper Drive Sunday afternoon after firefighters were dispatched to reports of heavy smoke and possible occupants trapped inside, according to the Greenlawn Fire Department.

Fire crews were activated at 2 p.m. to a house fire at 17 Upper Drive, where a neighbor reported seeing heavy black smoke coming from the home, Fire Chief Joseph Pace said.

Engine Company Captain Nick D’Amico was first to arrive and confirmed heavy smoke showing from the residence. He also advised dispatch that all occupants were accounted for. Based on those conditions, Pace reactivated the department’s working fire pre-plan assignment.

A Greenlawn fire captain who lives nearby entered the home and located the homeowner inside, Pace said.

“She was completely unaware that her house was on fire,” Pace said to Patch. “The fire started in the rear of the house and had already spread up into the attic.”

The resident was escorted safely out of the home and brought next door, where she was evaluated. Pace said she did not suffer any significant injuries.

According to the department, the first-arriving engine, Station 1 Engine 2-7-8, secured a water supply and stretched two handlines into service. Station 1 Tower Ladder 2-7-4 arrived second due, with crews splitting into teams to conduct primary searches and perform ventilation to support interior firefighting operations. A headquarters rescue quint staffed and operated the second handline.

Firefighters used a tower ladder to cut ventilation holes in the roof as crews worked to contain the blaze, which spread through a significant portion of the attic, Pace said.

Multiple neighboring departments assisted, including Huntington Manor, Dix Hills, Commack, Centerport, East Northport, and Northport, along with the Huntington Community First Aid Squad, officials said.

No injuries were reported. Fire units operated on scene for approximately two hours before returning to service.

All operations were conducted under the command of Chief Pace, with interior operations overseen by First Assistant Chief Richard Jones. The cause of the fire was not immediately available.