Officials call Freeport apartment fire suspicious

A Freeport apartment fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon and forced six residents out of their units was considered suspicious in nature, officials said.

Officials said the blaze started in an unoccupied unit inside the apartment complex at 22 Pearsall Ave. in Freeport, police said. Firefighters from Freeport, Baldwin, N. Merrick, Island Park and Point Lookout responded, officials said.

The Red Cross was on hand to help the six displaced residence. A 69-year-old man living in the complex sustained smoke inhalation and was treated at a hospital, officials said.

The Nassau Arson Bomb Squad and the Nassau County Fire Department are investigating.