Fire Ravages Business, Injures 3 Firefighters On LI: FD

ISLIP, NY — A fire devastated a business on Long Island Monday evening, according to Suffolk County police.

The Islip Fire Department responded to numerous reports of a fire at Pathway Cleaners on Islip Avenue around 6 p.m.

According to fire department officials, they received a report of occupants possibly trapped on the second floor. Upon arrival, Islip Chiefs Ferrari and Macchio, along with Central Islip Chief Plotino "immediately entered the second floor through a window to search for the possible occupants" but the search "proved negative" for victims.

Islip Fire Department officials said the fire extended from the first floor to the second floor and was "extremely manpower taxing."

Officials said the fire took about and hour and a half to bring under control and was "ultimately upgraded to a fourth alarm mutual aid plan."

One firefighter was transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, two others were treated and released at the scene and no civilian injuries were reported, officials said.

According to a report by News12, other business owners said a couple in their 70s have owned the business since 1968 and it is one of the oldest stores on the block.

Mutual aid was provided by Bay Shore, North Babylon, Islip Terrace, West Sayville, East Islip, Central Islip and West Islip fire departments Exchange Ambulance of the Islips.

Islip officials said the MTA also assisted on the scene and "placed a slow down on train traffic." The Town of Islip Hazmat team was also requested to assist due to the contents of the building.

Suffolk County Police Arson Section detectives are investigating, but police told Patch they believe it was non-criminal.