St. James FD-House fire on Lake Avenue

March 20, 1950 St. James FD responds to the home of Alfonso Bloom in regards to a fire on the south side of the house. The fire, was reported at around 2PM by a passerby, Mariana Nelson. The fire building was located on one of the corners of Lake and 7th Street. During the fire, a John White, a Navy Veteran with PTSD (known back then as battle fatigue) suddenly became agitated and began physically interfering with the fire department members. Not a member of the fire department, Mr. White rode a bicycle to the scene and entered the building. He was forcibly removed but then climbed a ladder and entered the second floor. He was restrained, removed and transported to the police station at Town Hall in Smithtown where a doctor was summoned to attend to him. 3-23-1950 Smithtown News