Hauppauge FD-Fatal fire at the Townhouse Motor Lodge on Jericho Turnpike

January 12, 2002 2049 hours. The Hauppauge FIre Department is dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 880 Jericho Turnpike. Units arrived to find heavy fire in the front building (housing the rooms and the office). Juanita Crump, 59 of Central Islip was found deceased in one of the rooms by firefighter’s. 50 other occupants were safely evacuated. Lou Zara was Chief and OIC. The building was a total loss and the adjoining restaurant was also heavily damaged. Hauppauge assisted at the scene by Smithtown, Commack, Kings Park and Central Islip FDs.
Photo in 8-1-2002 Smithtown News.