Officers Injured While Saving Dog From House Fire

Firefighters from four local departments and Suffolk police officials work the scene along Meadow Rue Lane in East Northport last Friday. (Photo/East Northport FD)

A pair of Suffolk police officers suffered non-life threatening injuries Friday while saving a dog from a house fire in East Northport.

Officers Joseph Barra and Stephen Caratozzolo responded to the 28 Meadow Rue Lane home at around 1:45 p.m., police said. As they were circling the fully-engulfed house looking for victims, the officers saw a dog through a rear window. They then entered the burning home through a rear door and rescued the dog.

The officers suffered smoke inhalation and were brought to Stony Brook University Hospital by East Northport Fire Department Ambulance for treatment, according to police.

The dog, a 5 year-old Pomeranian mix named “Gucci,” is expected to survive, according to police.

Meanwhile, the East Northport Fire Department was on scene to battle the raging fire, officials said. Both floors of the home were engulfed and firefighters began aggressive attack utilizing five trucks and two ambulances under the command of First Assistant Chief Dan Flanagan.

The Greenlawn, Kings Park and Northport fire departments assisted at the scene, and Dix Hills Fire Department provided standby coverage.

Around 70 firefighters and EMS personnel were on the scene.

A Northport firefighter suffered a shoulder injury while battling the blaze and was brought to Huntington Hospital for treatment.

The Huntington Town Cyanide Response Team Paramedics also responded, and both the Suffolk Police Arson Squad and Huntington Town Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire, officials said.