Arson Squad Probing Long Island Blaze: Police

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — A seven-alarm blaze that ripped into a residential property in Port Jefferson in the early morning on Wednesday, saw firefighters return later in the afternoon and it is being investigated by Arson Squad detectives, authorities said.

A vehicle fire that started in the home's garage on High Street at around 3:20 a.m., then spread to the home and some trees, Suffolk police said.

Firefighters responded again at around 2 p.m. because some areas of vegetation were smoldering and the fire department was asked to return and dampen them, authorities said.

There was heavy fire visible from the two-and-a-half-story home with a connecting two-story structure, but it was deemed under control at 4:35 a.m., the Port Jefferson Fire Department said in a Facebook post.

The department said several brush fires ignited as a result of the fire and they were quickly extinguished.

Port Jefferson with the help of neighboring fire departments extinguished the fire without incident, and there were no injuries, according to police.

In addition to Port Jefferson, altogether, seven departments responded, including Terryville, Setauket, Mount Sinai, Miller Place, Stony Brook, and Selden.

Port Jefferson Emergency Medical Services also responded.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family during this difficult time," Port Jefferson Fire Department officials said.

Terryville Fire Department officials credited the work of Port Jefferson's firefighters in knocking down the blaze, noting that "thankfully, no one was injured."

Community members have organized a gift card collection drive to help the family out, according to a post on Facebook.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated with additional information from the Port Jefferson Fire Department regarding the second fire at the site. Vegetation did not rekindle, but firefighters were asked back to dampen down some smoldering debris.