Hewlett, NY – A fatal house fire broke out at a Nassau County house early Thursday morning in Long Island, WPIX reports.

The private home located at 10 Sutton Lane in Hewlett was already engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived at approximately 3:00AM.

The body of an 86-year-old man was R”L found dead inside a second floor bathroom. Firefighters say the man was the homeowner and the only person in the home at the time of the fire.

Hewlett Fire Department officials said a partial collapse on the second floor and strong wind gusts made battling the blaze difficult. About 100 firefighters responded to the blaze.

According to a Newsday report, the deceased has been identified as Adam Rafalowicz, a holocaust survivor.

Their report also says that last month, emergency medical services personnel responding to a call on Sutton Lane in Hewlett talked to Adam Rafalowicz about the burn holes in his clothing, rugs and furnishings – all caused by smoking.

On Saturday, fire officials said, the 86-year-old man’s son also talked to his father about what officials called “careless smoking.”

Apparently, Rafalowicz did not take heed of those warnings, officials said.

Officials also believe there were no working smoke detectors on the main floors of the home.

Investigators found detectors in the basement, though it was unclear if they worked.

(Source: WPIX / Newsday / Lipas)