Woman Dies in Fire at Suffolk Apartment Complex

CORAM, NY – A fire ripped through a Suffolk County apartment complex early Tuesday and when the flames were out, authorities found the body of a 71-year-old woman inside, Suffolk Police said.

Sixth Precinct officers responded to Fairfield Courtyard at Coram located at 45 Country Club Drive after a 911 caller reported a fire at about 2:40 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found one of the buildings completely engulfed. Officers assisted with evacuating residents and pets from the fire before clearing the surrounding buildings. Members of the Coram, Selden and Gordon Heights fire departments responded to extinguish the fire.

After the fire was extinguished, Susan Harelick, a resident of apartment 7D, was found dead inside her apartment, police said.

A preliminary investigation determined the fire started in Harelick's apartment and the cause appears to be non-criminal, police said.