Arson investigation launched into New York fires

Authorities say it is too early to determine whether the fires were sparked naturally or by 'some nefarious origin'

By Asiye Latife Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) - Authorities are investigating arson as the cause of weekend brush fires on New York’s Long Island that injured two firefighters and sent heavy smoke into the air.

Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said on Sunday that it is too early to determine whether the fires were sparked naturally or by "some nefarious origin."

The fires scorched roughly 600 acres before firefighters brought them under control on Sunday.

More than two dozen detectives are investigating the fires’ origin, conducting interviews with 911 callers and using drones to survey the burned area. "We also have arson detectives going up in the helicopters, also trying to figure out how this all started," Catalina said.

"We’re going to get to the bottom of what happened," he added.

No residents were directly affected by the fire, but two firefighters were injured, with one suffering second-degree burns to the face. Both firefighters were treated and released from local hospitals, according to Suffolk County Fire Coordinator Rudy Sunderman.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Saturday and imposed a burn ban across Long Island, New York City, and parts of the Hudson Valley to prevent further fires.

Kaynak:

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