Cops: Islip fatal fire likely not criminal
The Islip Fire Department was called for a fire at 42 Wilson Blvd. in Islip. A woman died after she was unable to escape. The woman’s name was not immediately available. She appeared to be in her late 30s or early 40s, according to Assistant Islip Fire Chief Bill Stenger. (March 27, 2011) Credit: Jim Staubitser
A preliminary investigation into the fire that killed an Islip woman Sunday has determined the cause was "noncriminal," Suffolk County police said.
Police Monday identified the victim as Dori Costa, 46, who was found just inside a garage town officials said they suspect was illegally converted into living quarters.
Police said Costa was found near a side door inside the converted garage on Wilson Boulevard by Third Precinct officers and members of the Islip Fire Department who responded to the fire Sunday morning.
Costa was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore where she was pronounced dead.
"She was found fairly close to the doorway," Assistant Islip Fire Chief Bill Stenger said.
Investigators said the fire began in the kitchen of the converted garage. About 60 firefighters responded to the 8:51 a.m. call, knocking down the blaze in 15 minutes, Stenger said Sunday. No one in the main house was injured.
An investigation by fire officials remains under way.
In June 2010 Islip inspectors visited the property after getting a complaint about an unpermitted pool and illegal shed, said town spokesman Kevin Bonner. At the time, he said, the owner was asked whether the garage was being rented.
The owner told inspectors no, that it was just used as extra living space, Bonner said.
The owner was issued appearance tickets in relation to the pool and shed, Bonner said, and is scheduled in court May 11 to address them.
Bonner said he did not have the name of the owner.
A man who answered the phone at the address Sunday hung up on a reporter and did not respond to a subsequent voice-mail message.
On Feb. 14, inspectors were again at the house after getting a complaint about an illegal rental, Bonner said. Inspectors, however, found the converted garage had no kitchen or electrical appliances and was in compliance with the certificate of occupancy, Bonner said.
Since that time, a kitchen and electrical appliances were installed, apparent violations of the occupancy certificate and indications of a potentially illegal rental, he said.
Bonner said officials won't know for sure until the investigation is complete.
With John Valenti
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