2 people jump from window in wind-fueled house fire in Copiague
COPIAGUE, New York (WABC) -- A wind-fueled fire on Long Island destroyed a house early Thursday morning.
The flames broke out inside the home on 26th Street in Copiague just before 3 a.m.
"It just engulfed so fast, it was incredible," said neighbor Erik Carlson.
The homeowner, Terri Stephanie, frantically watched her home burn to the ground.
She escaped from one window, while her husband jumped out of another on the second floor.
The couple has some broken bones and suffered from smoke inhalation, but it's their 20 rescue cats that are now missing.
"20 cats in there. My cats are dying," Stephanie said.
Neighbor Erik Carlson brought Stephanie and her husband inside his home.
"They came to our house because they were so cold," said neighbor Erik Carlson. "My land lady gave them a coat. They had nothing on because that's how quick they escaped."
Stephanie's cousin Dolores was visibly upset.
"The two of them have so much love for animals. This is material and that's it," Dolores said.
She returned to the property to join multiple Long Island animal rescue teams, some using thermal cameras to help find any surviving cats.
"No luck so far, found a few deceased ones," said Strong Island Animal Rescue President Frankie Floridia. "I wish they would've gotten out. Hopefully they did. There was some open windows and hopefully they got out the windows."
The couple is recovering at Nassau University Medical Center.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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