Port Washington man rescued from burning home

An elderly Port Washington man who is both blind and deaf was rescued from his burning home Monday afternoon by police and volunteer firefighters, officials said.

The resident, in his 70s, was admitted for observation at a hospital, officials said. Two firefighters and two police officers were treated for smoke inhalation and released.

Port Washington Fire Chief Thomas McDonough said, "The quick response by the police and fire service saved the gentleman's life."

The fire was first reported at a one-story home on Minor Avenue about 3 p.m. "It was called in by a passerby," McDonough said. "Somebody saw the smoke."

It was an electrical fire that started in the kitchen, spread to an adjoining den, McDonough said, and created extensive smoke conditions elsewhere in the house.

The homeowner was found conscious, on the main floor near the front door, and was helped out immediately, McDonough said. "He had to be assisted out," but sustained no apparent serious injuries. "He might have suffered a little bit of smoke inhalation. No burns." But of great concern by those who first arrived, was that the man's wife might still be inside the burning building, McDonough said.

The man's wife was out of town at the time of the fire, but the police and first firefighters there did not know that and feared that even a short delay might be costly, McDonough said. Rather than waiting for others to arrive with more protective equipment, they went deeper into the house to see if anyone else was inside. That is when the four sustained smoke inhalation, McDonough said.

About 40 other responding firefighters from Port Washington and other departments arrived at the scene and were able to bring the fire under control in less than a half-hour, McDonough said. "Everybody did a great job."