Family escapes before fire ravages Levittown home

Levittown firefighters needed about 2 1/2 hours to extinguish an early morning blaze Monday in which a family escaped without injury, fire officials said.

A department spokesman said firefighters responded to a call on Milton Avenue at 4:22 a.m. Family members and pets were helped from the home before the fire could build and spread from its second-level origin, he said. A cause has not been determined.

The spokesman said there was "minimal help" from firefighters in removing family members from the home.

No residents were injured, but three firefighters had minor injuries, including one with minor burns.

Damage was extensive, the spokesman said, and the Hempstead building department was notified and likely will conduct an inspection.