A fire damaged a North Wantagh home located at 85 Elm Drive North early Saturday afternoon, Dec. 15. The alarm was originally transmitted for an investigation of smoke in the area which was immediately followed by a "general alarm" when neighbors reported that the ranch-style Levitt home was on fire.

Fire units responded to find that the living room was ablaze and that the fire was extending to the second floor. A hoseline was taken into the home and a second hose was stretched as a precaution. The fire was quickly extinguished but not until the home sustained heavy smoke damage and the loss of the family cat. No one else was injured.

According to Chief Johnston, the fire started in the vicinity of a Christmas tree. He said that the possible cause might have been defective wiring.