Lynbrook Woman Escapes House Fire

A woman living at a Winthrop Street residence awoke to the smell of smoke early this morning, but was able to escape and call the , officials from the fire department reported.

At about 4:15 a.m. Saturday morning, the woman woke up to fire burning in the basement, fire department officials said. Not able to get out the home's main doors, she jumped out of a first-floor window and ran to a neighbor's house to call for help.

Lynbrook firefighters, under the command of Chief Raymond Burke, were on the scene in a matter of minutes. Tally-Ho Engine 423 was the first to arrive, and firefighters immediately stretched two hose lines to the house. Tally-Ho members took the first line down the basement stairs to fight the main body of fire while Engine Company 421 members assisted on the second line that went to the first floor. A third back-up line was stretched to the front lawn by Hose Company 424 members, and they stood-by. Truck Company 428 provided manpower to vent the house and provide overhaul.

While the fire was still roaring, Second Deputy Chief Anthony DeCarlo searched the first floor and was able to rescue one of the woman's two cats, which was laying semi-conscious under a bed. The Emergency Medical Company gave the cat oxygen and fully revived it. The second cat was later found dead near the basement staircase.

Firefighters knocked down the fire in about 20 minutes and were at the scene for about 90 minutes. A preliminary investigation determined that the cause of the fire was an electrical short in a wall socket. The fire spread from the socket, up the wall, and across the basement ceiling to the staircase.

The homeowner suffered minor burns to her hair but refused medical attention. There were no other injuries.

This article was submitted by Steve Grogan of the Lynbrook Fire Department.