A fatal house fire occurred in Floral Park early this morning, according to Nassau County detectives.
The Floral Park Fire Department responded to a call at 33 Clover Ave. reporting a house fire with a person trapped on the second floor. Thomas and Donna Potter were awakened in their first-floor bedroom by their son John, 35, who was yelling for their help from upstairs. Thomas attempted to ascend the stairs to the second floor but was forced back by heat and smoke. The couple fled the burning house and called 911.
Firefighters were able to access Potter, who was lying on a bedroom floor, and rush him out of the house. CPR was performed on him and he was rushed to Winthrop University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Two firefighters were also transported to Winthrop and were treated for minor injuries. Thomas and Donna Potter were not injured.
The fire was determined to be accidental by the Fire Marshal’s office and the Arson Bomb Squad.
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