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Fire Sparked By Christmas Tree Damages Long Island Home

SETAKET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- It seems to happen every year; a Christmas tree goes up in flames, destroying a family's celebration.

Last night, it happened in Setauket, Long Island.

As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, it took just minutes for flames to shoot through the roof of the estate home on Suffolk County's North Shore.

The family escaped safely, but it was too late to save the home.

On Christmas Day, neighbors helped with the cleanup and spoke on behalf of the family about what caused the Christmas Eve fire.

"It was caused by the Christmas tree actually. It's my understanding from family that it was an electrical failure, I guess," said neighbor Alina Stroya.

Every year, firefighters warn of the dangers from lights on Christmas trees in your home. But fire experts say there are 230 Christmas time fires on average every year across the country, and tragically, five deaths.

"People think because it's cut, it's dead. But they're not. They're alive and they need a lot of care, especially watering and it can't be near a heat source," said Robert Sutton, with the Fireman's Association of New York.

Sutton said it's always best to use LED lights since they don't give off heat. And to make certain the wiring is UL certified, but even that carries risk for the consumer.

"Unfortunately a lot of black market lights will even say they are UL approved when they're not, may even be a counterfeit label," Sutton said.

Sutton's advice? Buy lights from a reputable business and make sure your tree watering stand is big enough to support your tree.

"They think it's big enough, but you have to go by the circumference of the tree," Sutton said.

Having seen the risk first hand in Setauket, neighbors said they're glad at least no one was hurt in the fire.

"That is the best part actually. Everyone got out safe and they're thankful for their life," said Stroya.

The Setauket family did not want to be interviewed, but said they are grateful for the outpouring of community help and support.

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