Melville FD Battles Second House Fire this Week

Story and Photos by Steve Silverman

The Melville Fire Department battled their second house fire in four days on Thursday morning, January 9, at about 3:45 a.m., on Wintergreen Drive West.  Facing extreme cold and icing conditions, firefighters arrived to find one end of the ranch home involved in fire. Two adults and two young children escaped the fire uninjured. An aggressive attack began as firefighters used four hose lines to battle the flames. A partial roof collapse and burning gas meter caused additional hazards for firefighters. Fifty volunteer firefighters using nine trucks from Melville, Dix Hills, Huntington Manor, Plainview and East Farmingdale had the fire under control within an hour, and were on the scene for 3-1/2 hours. Melville Fire Chief Mike McKeefrey was in command, with operations handled by Assistant Chiefs Paul Mahler and Chris Nolan. The house sustained extensive damage, and the Suffolk Police Arson Squad and Town of Huntington Fire Marshal are investigating. Suffolk Fire-Rescue Coordinators were also dispatched for assistance. There were no injuries reported.