The fire appears to be accidental and no arson is suspected, according to the Brookhaven Town Fire Marshal's office, which is investigating the incident.

Preliminary findings by the office reveal the origin of the fire to be the power source of a chest freezer, which was located on the exterior of the house, according to Town Spokesman Kevin Molloy.

More than 50 firefighters from five fire departments, including Rocky Point, Sound Beach, Miller Place, Ridge and Wading River responded to the scene. A sixth fire department, Middle Island, was also called to stand by at one of Rocky Point's firehouses, according to fire officials.

"Basically, the whole rear of the house was fully engulfed," said Rocky Point Fire Department First Assistant Chief Kenny Staufer, who was one of the first to respond to the fire scene.

"We started the line through the front door and put out what fire we could," he recalled. "The fire was just progressing so fast. We had to hook up the ladder truck to knock down the major set of flames on the second floor."

A little less than an hour into the blaze, the roof partially collapsed as the flames continued to shoot skyward. A black plume of smoke could be seen above the treetops of the quiet neighborhood, drawing many neighbors from their own homes out into their front yards.

Michael Lewis, a neighbor who lives two doors down, said the fire is the type of situation that raises awareness that something similar can happen to anyone.

"It was a devastating thing to happen on the block," he said. "We are just grateful that no one got hurt."

Another neighbor, Kevin Kane, was listening to music on the radio when he was startled by all the commotion outside.

"I had just stopped home for lunch," he said, recalling that he did not even hear the fire truck sirens sounding in the background.

More than an hour after the fire started, Jomar Road was still swarming with emergency personnel as a fire truck pumped over 1,000 gallons of water per minute into the home in an effort to quell the last of the flames.

Mr. Staufer said it took almost four hours to put the fire out.

"The entire house was gutted," he said. "It was definitely a lot of fire."

Ultimately, he explained, the Town of Brookhaven Fire Marshal's Office will make a determination along with the Building Inspector's office as to whether the family can return to live there.

"There's quite a lot of damage," Mr. Staufer added.

For now, volunteers from the Red Cross will aid in getting the family set up with emergency shelter and neighbors are helping to supply them with clothes.

"We did the best we could; we tried to save the most we could," Mr. Staufer said. "All the firefighters did an amazing job trying to save the people's property."

But the firefighters were not the only members of the community who extended their support to the family at their time of need.

Within a few short hours, there was a groundswell of support as neighbors reached out to the family with offers of places to stay, food and clothing.

Louis Parrinello, principal of the Miller Avenue School, said that the family has a six-month old child and a fourth-grader who attends the school. His administration office will be serving as a drop-off location for clothes and food; there is also a collection envelope for monetary donations. He said Jennifer Higgins has become the point person for donations and she can be reached at 821-8231.

"Any help would be very appreciated by all of us," he said.

Standing in the driveway, a member of the Lee family, who did not wish to give her name, declined to comment other than to say that the family appreciates "what the community has been doing."

peggy@northshoresun.com

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