Dix Hills couple, dog escape house fire, officials say

A Dix Hills couple and their pet dog escaped a fire that damaged the attic and second-floor bedroom of their home on Arbor Lane early Wednesday, fire officials said.

Officials said about 60 firefighters from the Dix Hills Fire Department responded to the fire, which was reported around midnight.

Dix Hills 2nd Assistant Chief Alan Berkowitz, first to arrive at the fire, found fire coming from an air-conditioning duct in a second-floor bedroom. He closed the door and cut power to the electrical panel, helping to contain the fire.

Firefighters from Huntington Manor, Melville and Greenlawn also responded with seven trucks, two ambulances and rehab and paramedic units. The Town of Huntington Cyanide Response Team also was activated, a standard practice now among town fire companies — since officials said their presence puts medical experts on the scene to combat possible smoke inhalation issues.

Officials said the blaze was brought under control within about 20 minutes, under the direction of Dix Hills Fire Chief Robert Fling.

There were no reported injuries.

The Suffolk County police Arson Squad and Huntington Town Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the blaze.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”