Police: Man dies in Bay Shore house fire

The Brentwood Fire Department received a call for the fire at 16 Oklahoma Ave. at around 12:30 p.m.

News 12 Staff and Jon Dowding

Aug 27, 2024, 9:09 PM

Updated 16 days ago

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Suffolk County police say a man was killed in a house fire Tuesday in Bay Shore.
The Brentwood Fire Department received a call for the fire at 16 Oklahoma Ave. at around 12:30 p.m.
One occupant of the home was unable to escape and was removed by Suffolk County police officers and neighbors before firefighters arrived. That occupant was taken to South Shore University Hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. The victim has been identified as 77-year-old Artemio Gonzalez.
Two firefighters also sustained minor injuries while battling the fire. One was treated and released at the scene and the other was taken to the hospital before being released.
Joy Silva says she could see the smoke get darker from her home a few blocks away as the fire burned on.
"It was white smoke, black smoke, gray smoke. It really, little by little, it just filled the whole sky," she said. "I said get inside! I told my son, my dog, everyone get inside because the smell was very strong."
Vincenta Rivera, who lives around the corner, says her neighbor banged on her door when smoke began pouring out of the home.
"He told me there was smoke coming out of the window on the left of the house," she said. "If only you know the sacrifice one makes to have a home and the fight to have one. It's sad."
*Disclaimer: Rivera's interview was translated from Spanish.