67-year-old Woman Dies in Plainview House Fire

Firefighters battled freezing conditions and intense heat during the fatal blaze.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A 67-year-old woman died in a house fire on Sutton Drive in Plainview, New York on Saturday, February 7th. The fire started around 2:27 a.m. and engulfed the entire residence, with firefighters unable to make entry due to the extreme conditions. Over 75 firefighters from nine different departments responded to the scene but were unable to save the victim.

Why it matters

House fires are a major public safety concern, especially for vulnerable elderly residents. This tragic incident highlights the challenges first responders face in battling blazes in harsh winter conditions, and the importance of fire safety education and prevention measures to protect local communities.

The details

According to Plainview Fire Department Chief Andrew Cohen, the fire was "well advanced with a roof collapse" when crews arrived on the scene. Firefighters were unable to enter the home to search for the victim due to the "extremely heavy fire load" and "a lot of heat." The intense fire and freezing conditions made the blaze particularly difficult to extinguish, with the operation taking around seven hours to complete.

  • The fire started at 2:27 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • Firefighters arrived on the scene about four minutes after receiving the fire alarm.

The players

Andrew Cohen

Chief of the Plainview Fire Department and the commander on the scene.

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What they’re saying

“When we arrived, it was a well advanced fire with a roof collapse”

— Andrew Cohen, Fire Chief

“We were met with an extremely heavy fire load [with] a lot of heat. We had extreme cold conditions, freezing ice snow. It was a difficult fire to fight.”

— Andrew Cohen, Fire Chief

What’s next

Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire and the identity of the victim.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of fire safety, especially for vulnerable elderly residents, and the challenges first responders face in battling blazes in harsh winter conditions. It serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and preparedness to protect local communities.