A devastating fire in Smithtown, Long Island claimed the lives of a mother and her son yesterday. According to reports from ABC7NY, the blaze erupted just after 3 p.m. at a private residence on Fifty Acre Road. The victims have been identified by Suffolk County police as Christine Lehmann, 52, and her son Nicholas Lehmann, 25, as per details shared by News 12 Long Island.
Ronald Montagna, the 91-year-old homeowner, was also injured during the incident and has been taken to Stony Brook University Hospital to recover from burns and smoke inhalation. It was purported that Montagna rented out rooms in his home, a setup to supplement his finances following the death of his wife. Of the three tenants who rented rooms, Christine Lehmann was one of the victims whose son was visiting for the weekend. According to News 12 Long Island, tenant Anthony Capasso, offered to "helping out with daily tasks, including taking him to doctors and making meals," in exchange for reduced rent.
The St. James Fire Department made an aggressive effort to save the Lehmanns, but unfortunately, they did not survive. "We made a very aggressive effort to get to the victims. Unfortunately, two individuals have succumbed to the injuries," Assistant Chief Daniel Keegan told ABC7NY. The fire, requiring the combined effort of 80 firefighters from several departments, was extinguished by about 5 p.m. on the same day it started. During the efforts, one firefighter sustained minor injuries.
Suffolk County Police's Arson and Homicide squads are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire. While the investigation continues, preliminary findings suggest that the fire was not criminal in nature. Neighbors and other tenants speculate about possible causes, with one resident noting to ABC7NY, "I just wish, you know. And they said it was fast because the fire was downstairs again. She wasn't going out a window or nothing like that." This sentiment reflects the suddenness and severity of the fire that left the Smithtown community reeling.
The other tenants were not present at the time of the fire and returned home to the tragic scene. "By the time I got home here, the whole house was engulfed," said Stephen McNally, a tenant, in an interview with ABC7NY. The loss extends beyond the human lives, with McNally lamenting over the loss of personal belongings, "I seen them throwing a mattress out the window. So everything burned."
