Firefighter burned, another injured in house fire in Roslyn Heights, officials say

Two Carle Place firefighters were injured — one who fell through the roof and was hospitalized with facial burns, another who pulled him to safety — while battling a Roslyn Heights house fire Wednesday, authorities said.

Firefighters from Albertson responded to a call regarding a fire on the rear deck of a Pinetree Lane home shortly after 9 a.m., Chief Fire Marshal Michael F. Uttaro of the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office said in a news release. When they arrived, first responders encountered heavy fire conditions, Uttaro said.

The Carle Place firefighter who was battling the blaze on top of the home suffered first- and second-degree burns to his face after he fell through the roof, Uttaro said. He was transported to  Weill Cornell Burn Center in Manhattan.

The firefighter's condition was not immediately available on Wednesday afternoon, but Uttaro told Newsday around 4 p.m. that he "was talking when he went to the hospital ... that helps."

"It's one of the best hospitals around for burn treatment," Uttaro said in a telephone interview. "We're all just hoping for the best ... The county executive's office was in contact with his family to offer his support."

A Carle Place Fire Department official said the department had no comment on the situation when reached by telephone on Wednesday afternoon.

The firefighter who fell through the roof was immediately rescued by a second firefighter, who dragged him to safety, Uttaro said. The second firefighter suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene, police said.

"He's a young kid; he did an amazing job that really contributed to saving this guy's life," Uttaro said of the second firefighter. "I think he was a little overwhelmed more than medically hurt. He's doing good."

Nassau fire marshal investigators working with Nassau Arson / Bomb detectives determined the cause of the fire was careless smoking, Uttaro said. The home had no smoke detector, he added.

The house suffered serious damage; the town of North Hempstead's building department was evaluating, Uttaro said. The American Red Cross was assisting the three displaced adults.

Firefighters from East Williston, Garden City, Manhasset Lakeville, Mineola, Roslyn Highlands and Williston Park also responded to the blaze.