Crime & Safety

Elderly Woman Dies in E. Northport Fire

An elderly woman died in house fire Thursday night in East Northport, officials said.

Police and firefighters responded to a 911 call about the fire at 55 Grover Lane at 9:25 p.m.

East Northport Fire Department First Assistant Chief Daniel Heffernan, who lives nearby, arrived at the scene within two minutes. Heffernan and Chief Joseph Ervin, also of the East Northport Fire Department, entered the home that was still on fire and full of heavy smoke.  They found Alice Woods, 93, on the second floor of the home near the doorway of her rear bedroom.

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Woods, who was the only resident of the home, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, according to police.

The Commack Fire Department assisted at the scene with a Rapid Intervention Team, while the Northport Fire Department and Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps providing standby coverage. 

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Fifty firefighters operated at the scene with six trucks, and two ambulances for EMS support, under the command of Chief Joe Ervin, First Assistant Chief Wayne Kaifler, Jr., and Second Assistant Chief Dan Heffernan. Suffolk Fire-Rescue Coordinators were dispatched to assist, and Suffolk Police Homicide and Arson Squad detectives are investigating.  

Detectives believe the fire began in Wood's bedroom.  

The cause of the fire is under investigation but does not appear to be criminal in nature, police said.


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