Fire Devours 3 Long Island Homes

At approximately 7:40 a.m. this morning, the flames were reported. They were controlled by 8:45 a.m. The fire broke out at 106 Pitney Avenue in Bloomingdale. The three homes were attached to four more. Resident Christina Polizzotto spoke to CBS 2: "Very scary. I didn't even have sneakers on, I just ran out...The whole house just went up".  130 firefighters battled the flames. Seven of them had minor injuries, while one victim refused medical assistance.

An off-duty firefighter who lived near the fire-inflamed residences, rapidly sprung into action. Fireman Leonard Tyrell spoke to WCBS 880: "I saw smoke coming from the rear of 106...Just ran across the street and got them out. I knocked on all the neighbors' doors, got them out." His actions prompted sleepers to wake up and exit as fast as possible. Sanitation employees started pounding on doors as well. The three homes were devoured in flames.