November 15, 1946. Mentioned in Smithtown FD 100th Anniversary Album. The explosion of a kerosene cooking stove caused the total loss of the Edward Stevenson house on Townline Road in the early morning hours. Stevenson attempted, without success to stop the spreading fire, rushed up stairs to get his small son. Starting down with the boy, a blast of flame shot up the stairway, blocking that exit and father and son went to a bedroom window and jumped to the ground.
Smithtown and Hauppauge FDs answered the call, but the flames had gained too much headway for them to save the house which burned to the ground.
Mr. Stevenson escaped serious burns but his hair was singed by the blast of flame that came up the stairway. He was unable to account for the explosion that started the fire as the stove had been lighted in the usual way for the early breakfast.
Photo and story in the 11-21-1946 Smithtown News.
Also referenced in the “History of the Smithtown Fire Department 1956”
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