Fire Leads To Shocking Animal Neglect Bust

A freak electrical problem that sparked a roof fire led authorities to a disturbing discovery inside a Port Jefferson home: 13 animals allegedly living without food or water in “deplorable conditions,” police said.

Three people are now facing a combined 39 animal neglect charges.

The bizarre chain of events began when the Port Jefferson Fire Department and fire marshals responded to 3 Willis Ave. after a nearby transformer malfunction caused a fire on the roof.

But when firefighters arrived, the fire wasn't the only thing that caught their attention.

Inside the home, firefighters spotted several different species of animals allegedly living without food or water and in conditions police described as “deplorable.”

The discovery triggered an investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Biological, Environmental and Animal Safety Team — fittingly known as BEAST.

Investigators obtained and executed a search warrant, leading to the arrests of Brian Burden, 50, and Nicole Ramunni, 44, both residents of the Willis Avenue home, and Timothy Burden, 55, of Stony Brook.

Each was charged with 13 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animals, according to police.

That amounts to 39 charges among the three defendants stemming from the 13 animals allegedly found inside the home.

Police said the animals represented several different species but did not identify what types of animals firefighters encountered.

Brian Burden, Ramunni and Timothy Burden were issued desk appearance tickets and arraigned Tuesday at First District Court in Central Islip.

The charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.