Police

Police ID man killed in Greenport house fire

PAUL SQUIRE PHOTO | Officials with the Suffolk County Arson Squad begin their investigation of a fatal house fire in Greenport Wednesday night.
Officials with the Suffolk County Arson Squad begin their investigation of a fatal house fire in Greenport Wednesday night. (Credit: Paul Squire)

One man was killed and three others — including a Greenport firefighter and a Good Samaritan who tried to rescue the man trapped inside —were hospitalized after a fire ripped through a Greenport home Wednesday night, authorities said.  

Homeowner Jack Pollack, 61, was killed in the blaze at 630 1st Street, according to a Southold  Town police statement. Police at the scene said Mr. Pollack — who was physically handicapped — was found in the living room area of the house.

[See also: Neighbors tried to help Greenport man, forced back by flames]

Fire officials added that a pet, believed to be a dog, was also killed in the fire, which police said doesn’t appear to be suspicious at this time.

The fire was first reported at 6:44 p.m., while firefighters were gathered at headquarters for a Hazmat training session, said Greenport Fire Department secretary and information officer Jim Kalin.

“Upon arrival, the chiefs found fire coming from the front windows, front door and from the roof,” he said.

Another resident of the home, 58-year-old Karen Pollack, had already made it out of the house and did not appear to have suffered burns, police said. She was taken to Eastern Long Island Hospital by ambulance crews, treated for minor injuries and released, according to the police statement.

Police said passerby Wade Hackett saw the fire break out and attempted to get into the house, but couldn’t rescue Mr. Pollack inside. Mr. Hackett brought himself to Eastern Long Island Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was released.

Greenport responded with its entire department, with assistance from the Southold and East Marion fire departments.

While fighting the blaze, Greeport firefighter Lt. Jeff Weingart suffered “minor injuries” and was hospitalized at ELIH, Mr. Kalin said. He was released later that night, police said.

The fire was under control just after 7 p.m., Mr. Kalin said.

The victim’s body remained inside the home as Southold Town police, the Suffolk County Arson Squad, Suffolk County crime investigators and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office investigated, authorities said. The cause of the fire has not yet been released.

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Firefighters on the scene Wednesday night. (Credit: Paul Squire)
Firefighters on the scene Wednesday night. (Credit: Paul Squire)