Smithtown residents were devastated yesterday morning when a fire broke out at a Sterling lane home at approximately 3:11 AM. In the early morning hours on Wednesday August 24th, Firefighters responded to the call to find a mother and her two children trapped inside the burning home. The woman, Kristen Sidik, quickly got to her 4-month-old son as the smoke alarms went off. However, the smoke became too thick for Sidik to find her way out.
The smoke detector triggered an alarm at approximately 3:11 AM. Third Assistant Chief Patrick Diecidue, was first to arrive on the scene with two other Smithtown Volunteer Firefighters. The Chief called for backup before leading his team into the home, where they rescued the 3-year old girl.
A second team arrived shortly after and included Jenn O’Brien, who had a special connection to the family. O’Brien delivered Sidik’s 4-month-old son in the same room where she rescued Kristen and her infant son. O’Brien who was the first female in history to be named as captain at Smithtown Fire Department is back to work as a Nurse at Stony Brook Hospital, where the two children are listed in serious condition.
“This was a difficult fire and EMS response from a human standpoint due to the ages of the children. All responders preformed an admirable job rescuing the family from their home, treating them and transporting to the hospital. We offer our prayers and best wishes to the Sidik family.” – Jeff Bressler, Smithtown Fire Department Public Information Officer
Four volunteer fire departments including Hauppauge, Kings Park, St. James and Nesconset all responded to assist in putting out the fiery blaze. The volunteer firefighters revived Kristen Sidik and her children on the lawn before transporting Sidik to St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center and her two children to Stony Brook University Hospital. Firefighters went back in for the two family dogs, who despite desperate attempts at CPR, were unable to be saved.
As of present, the two children remain at Stony Brook University Hospital for smoke inhalation. Kristen Sidik is still listed in critical condition at St. Catherine’s. Kristen’s husband, Thomas Sidik, rushed back from New Jersey where he serves as a Chief with the Coast Guard Reserve, to be at his wife’s side. The Volunteer Hauppauge Fire Department Captain praised the efforts of his fellow firefighters who rushed to the rescue of his family.
Clothing and Monetary Donations:
Fellow firefighters at the Hauppauge Fire department, have begun a special collection for the family. All who would like to contribute are asked to donate gift cards for baby and adult clothes or monetary donations. We will continue to update our readers, who happen to be some of the most giving people in town, with further details on how to help the Sidik family.
Smithtown Today will follow this story and include further details as they come in. In the meantime, residents are asked to respect the family’s wishes for privacy during this time of healing.