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Cause of fire that killed mother and son in Smithtown remains under investigation

News 12 is told five people lived at the house — the homeowner and four people who rent rooms.

Logan Crawford

Dec 1, 2025, 12:39 PM

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Deadly flames ripped through a home in Smithtown, claiming the lives of Christine Lehmann and her 25-year-old son Nicholas.

Pictures from a witness showed the intensity of the blaze before firefighters arrived on Fifty Acre Road South around 3 p.m. Sunday.

News 12 is told five people lived at the house — the homeowner and four people who rent rooms.

One of the tenants said Lehmann's son was visiting her for the holiday.

Police say the homeowner, 91-year-old Ronald Montagna, was taken to the hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.

Another tenant of the house, Anthony Capasso, tells News 12 he and a home aide take care of Montagna.

Capasso says he was away at the time of the fire.

Police say the fire it does not appear to be criminal.

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