In the early morning of June 26, 2020, a fire broke out in Smithtown, New York. Fifteen-year-old Hailee Hurtado noticed smoke in her home on Stuyvesant Lane and quickly alerted her father, Jonathan. He discovered a fire in the garage of their high ranch home and began evacuating his family. Hailee went to the lower level to assist her elderly grandmother, who uses a cane for mobility, guiding her safely outside with the help of her father.
As the Hurtado family evacuated, Smithtown firefighters were alerted to the house fire at approximately 2:30 AM. First Assistant Chief Patrick Diecidue and Second Assistant Chief Timothy Duckham responded promptly. Ex-Chief John Hansen was first on the scene and confirmed all occupants were accounted for while upgrading it to a working fire.
Engine 4-2-5 led by Captain Andrew Kelly arrived within seven minutes and began attacking the blaze with two handlines. Additional engines and units responded, including Ladder 7 and Rescue 9. They worked together to control the fire by 3:21 AM. Mutual aid came from nearby departments including Kings Park, Commack, Hauppauge & St James Fire Departments along with Commack Ambulance.
The operation was commanded by Assistant Chief Patrick Diecidue until about 5:53 AM without any reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.
The Chiefs Office praised Hailee for her quick actions that ensured her family's safe evacuation. "If she had delayed in warning her family members," they stated, "those extra seconds could have spelled a very different outcome." They plan to honor Hailee with an award at a future date.