Photo by Joe Turner An off-duty Suffolk County police officer helped to rescue a woman and her five pets from a burning home in North Amityville Fri., Dec. 5. Police gave this account:

First Precinct Police Officer Walter Hetzel was driving with his wife and children along County Line Road in North Amityville when he noticed flames coming from a home at 696. As Hetzel's wife called 9-1-1, he approached the home and saw a dog in the window. He gained entry and alerted the homeowner of the fire and helped get her outside. She ran back inside, however, in an attempt to save her pets. By that time, the house was fully engulfed in flames. Assisted by First Precinct Officers Michael Maio and Gregory Jungen, Hetzel was able to carry the woman out of the home to safety again.

The four dogs and cat were also rescued. One dog was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment. Meanwhile volunteers from the North Amityville, Copiague, East Farmingdale, Amityville and North Lindenhurst Fire departments rushed to the scene and fought the blaze.