Suffolk police officer Richard Senese saves boy from West Islip house fire, officials say

A Suffolk County police officer rescued a 10-year-old boy from a house fire in West Islip Thursday morning, battling heavy smoke to locate the child and lead him safely outside, authorities said.

Officers from the Third Precinct in Bay Shore responded to a home on Dogwood Road at about 7:30 a.m. after a 911 caller reported a fire at the location, Suffolk police said.

When officers arrived, an 8-year-old boy was found outside the home after climbing out a window, authorities said. The child told police that his 10-year-old brother was still inside the home, officials said.

Officer Richard Senese initially attempted to gain entry into the home through the front door, which was locked, but was eventually able to enter through a side door, police said.

After entering the home, Senese encountered heavy smoke conditions and was able to locate the boy and lead him safely outside, authorities said.

The two children were the only ones home at the time of the fire.

The boys were taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip for treatment of smoke inhalation. Senese, who has been on the force since September 2019, went to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.

Suffolk County Arson Squad detectives are investigating the cause of the fire, which originated in the basement.

By Robert Brodsky

robert.brodsky@newsday.com@BrodskyRobert

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.