Deadly Fire at Long Island Cat Rescue: Update from Suffolk County Police

Fire Incident and Initial Response

• 🚨 Suffolk County Police provided an update on a deadly fire that occurred at a home housing hundreds of cats.
• 🚒 The fire resulted in numerous deceased cats, with the exact number still being determined.
• 🏠 The house was fully engulfed in flames with extensive damage, and the origin and cause of the fire are under investigation.

Rescue and Care for Surviving Cats

• 🐾 The town of Brookhaven and the Suffolk County SPCA are working to ensure the surviving cats are removed and treated humanely.
• 🐈 Volunteers are assisting in placing the surviving cats in either homes or shelters.
• 🏠 There are reports that the owner also had a property upstate and was in the process of moving some cats there.

Investigation Details and Potential Causes

• 🔍 Investigators are in the very early stages and cannot yet draw conclusions about the fire's origin or cause.
• 💥 There are reports of a possible explosion of a propane tank, which is being investigated through witness interviews and a video canvas.
• ❓ Investigators are also reviewing 911 calls and neighbor statements to determine if an explosion occurred.

Property History and Violations

• ⚖️ The town has had numerous District Court actions against the property in the past and currently, which involve the animals being kept there.
• ⚠️ The Chief Fire Marshal stated that while the investigation is ongoing, they are not speaking on specific violations at this time.

Fire Department Response and Victim Identification

• 🔥 Fire departments from Gordon Heights, Yaphank, and Medford assisted in extinguishing the fully involved fire, with the fire chief noting the house was fully involved upon arrival.
• 🏘️ The houses on both sides of the incident property remained intact, indicating a successful containment effort by the responding fire departments.
• 👤 A preliminary identification of the victim has been made, but the name will not be released until confirmed by the medical examiner.