An explosion shook one Smithtown neighborhood last night. On Wednesday May 3rd, at approximately 8:20 PM, neighbors along Sunrise Lane heard what sounded like two loud explosions, coming from a two-story home. Neighbors called in reports of a fire shortly after the two loud blasts.
Two nearby residents, just so happened to be Smithtown firefighters. They both quickly called in the 98 Sunrise Lane explosion, to dispatch, upgrading the alarm from a structure fire (a signal 13) to a working structure fire (or a 13/35).
According to early reports from Jeff Bressler at the Smithtown Fire Department, “an explosion from the rear of the home, possibly from a propane tank, ignited the fire which rapidly spread through the entire interior of the home.”
Engine Company 3’s Kevin Pearsall only lived a few doors down and quickly sprung into action as first on scene. Pearsall was able to gain access to the home before the fire spread, escorting a female homeowner from the premises.
Units arriving on at 98 Sunrise Lane and immediately began an exterior attack on the blaze, hitting the fire from all exposures around the house. A primary search of the residence did not uncover addition residents trapped in the home. The fire was contained an hour after calls came in, at around 9:20 PM. Mutual aid was given to the Smithtown Fire Department by Hauppauge, Kings Park, St. James and Nissequogue Fire Departments.
While there were no reported injuries of fire or EMT personnel at the scene,the homeowner was taken to the Stony Brook University Medical Center. Her injuries are currently unknown.
The fire caused severe damage to the home. The Smithtown Fire Marshal, Suffolk County Fire Marshal and the Suffolk County Police Department Arson Squad are currently investigating the cause of the blaze.