Pets Perish in New York Smoker's Fire

January 24, 2003 -- Approximately 40 people were left homeless yesterday after a fire - apparently started by a careless smoker - ripped through a two-story Farmingdale, L.I., apartment building, killing a number of animals and injuring three firefighters, officials said.

The blaze broke out at about 9:20 a.m. at an apartment building on Secatogue Avenue, just south of the Farmingdale railroad station, said Farmingdale Fire Chief John Salerno.

Sixty volunteer firefighters from Farmingdale, East Farmingdale, South Farmingdale and North Massapequa battled freezing conditions before getting the blaze under control in about 45 minutes, Salerno said.

No residents were reported hurt, but three cats, a dog and a number of parakeets perished. Firefighters did manage to rescue one cat, Salerno said.