Officials: 6 cats, 1 dog killed in Hicksville house fire while homeowners were Black Friday shopping

A firefighter suffered an injury to his hand while fighting the fire and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center. No one else was hurt.

News 12 Staff

Nov 25, 2022, 10:06 PM

Updated 651 days ago

Share:

A dog and six cats were killed in a Hicksville house fire that happened when the homeowners were out shopping on Black Friday, fire officials say.
Nassau Fire Chief Michael Uttaro says the fire started around 12 p.m. Friday on Gardner Avenue.
He says the homeowner is a member of the Hicksville Fire Department.
"I'm sure when the guys pull up and realize it's one of their members' homes – obviously they're worried to make sure they get out OK," Uttaro says.
A firefighter suffered an injury to his hand while fighting the fire and was taken to Nassau University Medical Center. No one else was hurt.
Neighbors say they are ready to rally around the family who lost everything, including their pets, right as the holiday season is getting underway.
"We feel so terrible and we hope as neighbors – if we can do anything to help them, we're all here for them," says Betty Basile.
Firefighters are helping the family salvage whatever they can from the home, including fire department memorabilia.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined but is not believed to be suspicious.