The Seventh Squad, the Arson Bomb Squad and the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 11:30 a.m. in Massapequa.

According to detectives, Nassau County Police and the Massapequa Fire Department responded to the scene of a house fire at 306 Massapequa Avenue.

Upon arrival it was determined by police that the house was unoccupied by humans, but there were several rabbits recovered in the basement unharmed. Investigators report they had a distinctive odor, similar to gasoline, about them. Several other pets, including a dog and three cats, were found in a detached garage, also unharmed. The Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter removed the animals from the scene. The fire caused extensive damage to the house and was extinguished by the fire department.

At this time, police officials consider the fire to be suspicious. Based on preliminary witness information, police said the homeowner, James Johnson, was observed leaving the area shortly before the fire. Police consider Johnson to be a missing person.

A vehicle registered to him was found parked near a sand dune by a bridge leading to Robert Moses State Park, police added. Witness information reports observing a male entering the water below the Robert Moses Bridge and a search is currently under way by the Suffolk County Police Department's Marine Bureau, United States Coast Guard and the New York State Park Police.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this case to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-(800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.