Officials: Man hurt in Rocky Point building fire

A man suffered burns and smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at a Rocky Point building.

News 12 Staff

Jul 26, 2021, 10:05 AM

Updated 1,228 days ago

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A man suffered burns and smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at a Rocky Point building.
The incident happened at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday at 106 Prince Road.
Rocky Point Fire Chief Fred Hess confirms that a man was rescued from the fire, and says he was the sole occupant of the home. Former fire chief Bill Lattman helped the senior out of a window and onto a ladder to safety.
"There was a lot of heat, a lot of smoke. He was totally black with soot around his mouth, around his nose, his hands and arms," says Lattman.
Hess says the quick actions of the two engine companies paired with the initial hose line and operation helped the rescue go smoothly.
The front of the second-story apartment is black and burned, but firefighters were able to contain the fire to the one apartment.
Edgar Galarza, who lives in the apartment next door, tells News 12 the resident who was rescued is 70-year-old Louie Cuomo.
Galarza wasn't home at the time of the fire but says all of his clothes and work equipment are ruined from water and smoke damage.
"They let us go in and try to grab some things, but everything is damaged," says Galarza. "Nothing you can take, basically we lost everything."
Cuomo was taken to Stony Brook Hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.
"I hear he is doing OK and that's the best part about the whole thing," says Lattman.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Suffolk police say it doesn't appear to be suspicious.