Vehicle careens off exit ramp of Northern State, sets Dix Hills house on fire

A vehicle leaving the Northern State Parkway careened off an exit ramp, crashed through road signs and ignited a house fire early Monday in Dix Hills, authorities said.

Firefighters from at least 15 departments responded to the scene on Deforest Road North after receiving a call at 5:49 a.m., authorities said. The location, at Exit 42N for Deer Park Road, is separated by a small wooded area from the Dix Hills Fire Department.

"There's a pocket of homes over there, just off that ramp, and (a minivan) veered off the road, hit the house — and ignited the house." said Drew Silverman, a Dix Hills Fire Department spokesman.

The minivan ignited upon impact and started a fire that spread into the attic. The driver was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Silverman said.

The residents of the multifamily building were home and safely evacuated. No other injuries were reported, Silverman said.

It was not immediately clear how many people might have been injured or if anyone was transported to a hospital.

Firefighters from Dix Hills were joined by volunteers from Deer Park, North Babylon, Halesite, Huntington Manor, Melville, Centerport, Greenlawn, Northport, East Northport, Commack, Brentwood, East Brentwood, Smithtown and Plainview, fire officials said.

Ambulance crews from Huntington, Commack and Brentwood also responded to the scene.

Fire officials said Town of Huntington fire marshals were investigating.

Officials said crews from the New York State Department of Transportation were working to replace signage damaged in the crash.

Check back for updates on this developing story.