Nassau police: Man treated for injuries after West Hempstead house fire

A West Hempstead man was treated Wednesday evening for burns and smoke inhalation after a fire at his Oakford Street residence that displaced him and two other occupants, Nassau County police and fire officials said.

The Lakeview Fire Department responded about 6:37 p.m. to a call about a fire at the two-story, single-family home, Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Andrew Schmitt Jr. said in a news release.

When firefighters arrived, they encountered a blaze that had already engulfed the home, Schmitt said.

One occupant, a 55-year-old man, "suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation," the Nassau County Police Department said in a news release. He was transported to a hospital for treatment and evaluation.

EMS personnel evaluated another occupant for smoke inhalation, Schmitt said. That individual "refused medical treatment at the scene," he added. A third occupant was able to get out of the home but additional information was not immediately available late Wednesday.

The American Red Cross was activated to help the residents, the fire marshal said. An animal control service was notified because of "multiple cats in the house," Schmitt added.

He did not say how many cats were in the home at the time of the fire or if any were injured.

Firefighters controlled the blaze within an hour, Schmitt said. About 75 firefighters, including from departments in East-Rockaway, Elmont, Inwood, Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Lynbrook, Malverne and Rockville Centre, responded to the scene.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office and detectives with the police department’s Arson/Bomb squad are investigating the fire, officials said.