Nesconset FD-Mobile home gutted by fire

February 8, 1997 An early morning blaze which gutted a mobile trailer home by Lake Ronkonkoma is believed to have started by a hot plate used for cooking. The mobile home, located at 16 Smithtown Blvd is owned by Roy and Mary Lucien of Pearl Drive in Ronkonkoma. The occupant of the trailer is Michael Chieffo. Immediately prior to the fire, Mr. Chieffo was allegedly using the hot plate to heat his bed. The fire was reported at 0020 hours. The OIC was Chief Andrew Normandeau. Normandeau arrived to find fire through half of the trailer. By the time the first engine arrived 3 minutes later, the trailer was fully engulfed. Normandeau ordered the first incoming unit to protect the other trailers and a 100 pound propane tank. The next unit in was directed to extinguish the fire. The fire was knocked down from the exterior and then crews went in to complete extinguishment. Mr. Chieffo was the only occupant and he escaped without injury. The fire was placed under control within 25 minutes and all units cleared from the scene at 0200. The trailer was a total loss. Smithtown News 2-13-1997