Firefighter, 4 residents taken to hospital after fire engulfs Lakeview home

A firefighter hit by falling debris and four occupants of a Lakeview home that caught fire Sunday have been released from the hospital, officials said.

Around 5:11 p.m., Sunday, Nassau County police said, officers responded to a call for a Coventry Road North residence on fire, and, upon arrival, observed the home engulfed in flames.

While battling the blaze, one Lakeview Fire Department firefighter suffered a head injury and was taken to a hospital, police said. That volunteer is now recovering at home, Lakeview Fire Department Chief Fred Senti confirmed Monday evening. The chief added that "thankfully" the firefighter’s helmet "took the brunt of the impact" of the falling debris.

"I’m happy to report that he had mild concussion symptoms but he is actually making a full recovery," Senti said.

Four of the ranch-style home’s occupants were transported to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation Sunday evening. Senti said they were also released from the hospital, adding that the Red Cross relocated the family.

"At this point, it does look like a total loss for the family, unfortunately," Senti added of the house. "The good news is everybody’s alive."

After the main body of the fire was knocked down, the chief said members of the fire department came across some family mementos during overhaul and salvage efforts as they chased down "hot spots" to prevent rekindling.

"We ended up finding some photo albums," Senti said. "We were actually able to recover those and at least give those back to the family."

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said late Monday evening. He added that the fire “began in the basement and extended up to the first floor” and is not suspicious in nature. 

With Maureen Mullarkey