Fire Threat Continues Tuesday

By James Brierton
The MatadorOnline.com

With dry grass and breezy conditions expected again Tuesday, the National Weather Service has once again issued a Red Flag Warning for Long Island.

Multiple fire departments, including Centereach, Nesconset and Lake Grove, were on scene of a fire in Lake Grove Tuesday afternoon. The brush fire broke out in woodlands behind a local elementary school and came within a few dozen feet of nearby homes.

The National Weather Service had issued a Red Flag Warning for the entire tri-state Monday and reissued it for Long Island Tuesday morning.

"Residents are urged to keep vehicle out of grassy areas and to ensure proper disposal of any smoking materials," says a forecaster from the National Weather Service identified only as "JST" in the forecast. "It only takes a careless disposal of a cigarette to ignite a wild fire and with the dry and windy weather conditions a small fire could spread rapidly."

Three People Arrested for Burglary

Suffolk County Police have arrested three people for burglarizing homes in Lake Ronkonkoma and Lake Grove.

The burglaries occurred earlier this month during daylight hours when the residents were not home. The proceeds included cash, jewelry and electronics and were then sold at various locations within the nearby community.

Arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree were:
· Albert Fernandez, 21, of 7 Melissa Court, Lake Grove
· Victoria Doyle, 18, of 7 Melissa Court, Lake Grove
· Melissa Haines, 17, of 2 Seawanhaka Ave., Nesconset

Doyle and Haines were also charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. The suspects were arraigned on February 14. They are currently being held at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead awaiting further court action.

Fourth Squad detectives are continuing the investigation.