COPIAGUE, NY – A dramatic overnight fire in Copiague left a Long Island couple counting their blessings after narrowly escaping a blaze that destroyed their home early Tuesday morning. As fierce winds fanned the flames, the fire rapidly engulfed the two-story residence, necessitating the response of seven fire departments to bring it under control.
The fire erupted around 3 a.m. on 26th Street, where Terry Stefani and her husband found themselves in a desperate race against time. With smoke and flames closing in, they were forced to make a harrowing escape. Terry managed to leap from a first-floor window, while her husband took a risky plunge from a second-floor window. Neighbors Eric Carlson and his landlady quickly offered shelter, providing warmth and clothing to the couple who had fled with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
As the flames consumed the house, Terry was frantic over the pellet stove, which she believed might have been the cause of the fire. Her cries of anguish were compounded by the silence of the smoke alarms, which failed to sound any warning. “Why didn’t the smoke alarms go off?” she repeatedly questioned, as the blaze reduced their home to ashes.
The Stefanies’ love for animals added another layer of tragedy to the night. The couple owned 20 cats, many of whom are still unaccounted for. Multiple Long Island animal rescue teams have been scouring the site, using thermal cameras in hopes of finding any surviving pets. So far, their efforts have been in vain, with several cats found deceased and others still missing.
Terry’s cousin, visibly distressed, joined the rescue teams at the site, holding onto hope that some of the cats might have escaped through open windows. “We’ll find some for sure. I wish they would have gotten out,” she lamented, as the search continued.
In the aftermath of the chaos, the couple was taken to Nassau Hospital, where they are being treated for broken bones and smoke inhalation. Their recovery is ongoing, but the physical injuries are just part of the ordeal they now face.
The fire has left the community in shock, highlighting the dangers posed by high winds and the critical importance of functioning smoke alarms. As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the blaze, the neighborhood rallies around the Stefanies, offering support in their time of need.