Woman jumps from second-floor window to escape Roslyn Heights fire that killed family dog
The family said the fire spread so quickly that the mother had no choice but to jump from a second-floor window, landing in a pile of snow on the front lawn.
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A woman jumped from a second-floor window to escape a fast-moving house fire early Friday that tore through her family’s home and killed their 16-year-old dog, fire officials and the family said.
The fire broke out just after 2 a.m. at a home on Oxford Street, where the Kontonicolas family has lived for 26 years.
“I was fast asleep and she’s like, ‘Mary, get up, there’s a fire,’” Maryann Kontonicolas said. “And I opened my door and my whole other room was, like, engulfed in flames.”
The family said the fire spread so quickly that the mother had no choice but to jump from a second-floor window, landing in a pile of snow on the front lawn. They said she is sore but otherwise doing well.
“Everybody made it out of the house,” Manny Kontonicolas said. “I do miss my Coco. I am going to always remember her.”
Their 16-year-old dog, Coco, died in the fire.
Retired Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Thomas Tilly, who lives nearby, said he saw the flames and rushed to help as crews from multiple departments responded.
“As soon as I walked out the door, there was no doubt it was a pretty serious fire,” Tilly said. “Everybody got out. Nobody got hurt. That’s a winning day.”
The fire caused extensive damage to the home, leaving the family without their belongings.
“Everything that I have on me is what I have. Not one thing is saved,” Maryann Kontonicolas said.
Friends quickly stepped in to help, with some bringing brand-new clothes later Friday.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal says the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it is not considered suspicious at this time.
The family said they are grateful to have survived as they mourn the loss of a pet they described as family.
