Suffolk County Police Homicide and Arson Squad detectives are investigating a fire that killed a 78-year-old man in Commack today.
Timothy Donolli, 48, and his 78-year-old father Louis Donolli, were on the second floor of their home, located at 42 Deepdale Drive, when he smelled smoke coming from the lower level of the house at approximately 1:30 p.m. Timothy went downstairs and tried to extinguish the fire but was unsuccessful. He then attempted to go back upstairs to evacuate his father but he was unable the get to the second floor because of the fire.
Michael Magner, 49, of Huntington, was working nearby when he saw the fire. Magner went inside the home and helped Timothy get out of the house. Louis was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Timothy was taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries via Commack Rescue.
The Commack Fire Department, with assistance from the Brentwood, East Northport, and Dix Hills Fire Departments, extinguished the fire.
The fire does not appear to be suspicious and the investigation is continuing.