Suffolk Officer Extinguishes House Fire at Residential Facility; Resident Arrested for Arson
Port Jefferson Station, NY - July 4, 2017 - A Sixth Precinct Police Officer extinguished a fire at a group home in Port Jefferson Station, New York, on Tuesday, July 3, 2017 at approximately 1:25 p.m.
Sixth Precinct Patrol Officer Joanna Westrack responded to call of a house fire at a congregate care facility, which is operated by Options for Community Living, located in Port Jefferson Station, New York, at approximately 1:25 p.m.
Within minutes, Officer Westrack arrived on scene and observed smoke emanating from the second floor of the home. As smoke streamed from the door, she entered the room and used a fire extinguisher to put out a mattress that was fully engulfed by fire. There were no injuries to staff or residents of the home.
Arson Section detectives, personnel from the Terryville Fire Department, and a Fire Marshal from the Town of Brookhaven also responded. An investigation by Arson detectives revealed the fire was intentionally set.
A resident of the home, was arrested and charged with Arson 2nd Degree. The resident is being held at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned at first District Court in Central Islip, New York, on July 4.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.