Brooklyn man charged with arson in Central Islip fire that killed 2 dogs, injured 5 officers, police say

Police arrested a 39-year-old Brooklyn man for allegedly setting fire to a Central Islip home early Saturday, killing two dogs.

Police received a call at 12:20 a.m. Saturday for a fire on Cherry Street, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

Officers rushed inside the home in an unsuccessful attempt to save the dogs, the department said.

Five officers were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation, police said.

The homeowner’s son, Robert Alston, was arrested by police and charged with second-degree arson, second-degree burglary and false personation. He was scheduled to be arraigned Saturday, according to court records. 

Suffolk County Legal Aid, which is representing Alston, could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Central Islip Fire Chief Joseph Vereline said in an interview the department responded to the scene alongside other nearby departments and were faced with "heavy smoke pushing out the door" and "visible fire" at the home. 

Vereline said there were no people inside the house when the department arrived. A dog inside the home was rushed to a nearby animal hospital but did not survive.

The fire was brought under control in under an hour, Vereline said.

By Joseph Ostapiuk

joseph.ostapiuk@newsday.com@OstapiukJ

Joseph Ostapiuk covers the Town of Oyster Bay and the city of Glen Cove. He joined Newsday in 2023 after spending more than six years at the Staten Island Advance.