89-year-old Mineola Man Rescued From Fire

MINEOLA, NY — An 89-year-old Mineola man was brought to safety by a group of officers after the chimney of his home caught fire on Saturday, Nassau County police said.

Police said that at about 10:30 p.m. a neighbor walking his dog saw heavy smoke coming from the Congress Avenue home’s chimney and called 911. By the time police officers Palmese and Accordino, as well as Sgt. Ruhle arrived, there were flames coming from the chimney, police said.

Though the officers could not tell the “extent of the fire,” they forced their way inside the home where they found the man asleep, and they brought him to safety outside, police said.

The fire, which was contained to the chimney, was extinguished by firefighters from the Mineola Fire Department and the man was able to return to his home, police said.

No injuries were reported “due to the quick response” of the officers Palmese and Accordino, as well as a Sgt. Ruhle and the firefighters, police said. Nassau police do not release the first names of officers due to the department’s privacy policy.

The fire is not deemed suspicious, police said.