St. James FD-house fire on North Country Road

January 30, 1948 Fire sweeps through the house which was across the street from the Dubois Smith house on North Country Road. The occupants Alexander Pergan (who was asleep on the ground level) and Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Wegrzyn and their 11 year old son all safely evacuated the house and went across to the Smith house. Miss Josephine Smith turned in the alarm to the St. James FD. Fire reported at 0250 hours. The fd used six hose streams on the fire saving part of the pre-Revolutionary house. The OIC was acting Chief Harold Osmer. Smithtown sent their engine 3 to the scene which laid hose to supplement that of the Saint James FD. The weather was bitterly cold (0 degrees). Pumpers used hydrants up Mill Road and some 1500 feet of hose was laid. There was a delay in the hose lay as when the engine got to Moriches Road south of the Railroad tracks, the road was blocked by snow and ice. The crew had to turn around. Several firefighters including Chief Osmer, Frank Smith Jr, Former Chief Harold Cahill and Charles Hall, suffered frost bite injuries. Jack Shelton slipped and fell in front of the hook and ladder as it was leaving the firehouse. Thankfully the chauffeur, Robert Elderkin saw him and avoided running him over. Gus Grosse suffered a serious finger injury. Smithtown News 2-5-1948