Overview
- Suffolk County police identified the victims as Christine Lehmann, 52, and her son Nicholas, 25, who were found inside the two-story home on Fifty Acre Road South.
- Homeowner Ronald Montagna, 91, was hospitalized for smoke inhalation and burns and is recovering, authorities said.
- Roughly 80 firefighters from eight departments battled heavy fire conditions for about two hours to bring the blaze under control, according to the St. James Fire Department.
- Investigators from Suffolk County police and the Medical Examiner are probing the origin of the fire, which police say appears non-criminal, and they asked the public to contact the Homicide Squad with information.
- Tenants said the house operated as rented rooms and the Red Cross assisted displaced residents, with one firefighter reported to have suffered a minor injury.