The owners of a home in Stony Brook are scheduled to be arraigned today after a Brookhaven Town investigation discovered potentially life-threatening illegal housing following a fire earlier this month.

Officials said the four-bedroom single-family home at 19 Salem Dr. had been turned into an illegal 10-bedroom boarding house.

According to the town, 12 people, most of them Stony Brook University students, were living in the off-campus home. Investigators counted 18 mattresses inside, indicating even more people may have been staying at the property.

Town inspectors found bedrooms throughout the basement, first floor, second floor and attic, with many of the rooms individually numbered and secured by key-locked doors.

They also uncovered additional hazards, including unapproved sleeping areas, missing smoke detectors, exposed electrical boxes, extensive unpermitted construction and the absence of required emergency egresses from several bedrooms, all while operating without a valid town rental permit.

Multiple hot plates, microwaves, mini-refrigerators and rice cookers were discovered throughout the residence, indicating to officials that separate living quarters had been created within the building.

The horrid conditions were discovered following a fire at the home on July 2.

The Setauket Fire Department responded around 4:15 a.m.

Investigators believe someone smoking inside started the fire in a second-floor bathroom before it spread into the walls of the home.

Town officials said the altered layout created additional dangers for firefighters who responded to the scene.

The property owners have each been charged with 30 violations of the Brookhaven Town Code, including operating an illegal rooming house, operating without a valid rental permit, construction without required permits, illegal alterations without Certificates of Occupancy, missing smoke detectors and key-locked bedroom doors.

One of the defendants had previously been convicted of operating the same property without a valid rental permit, according to officials, so several charges were upgraded to second offenses.

In a statement, Stony Brook University officials told News 12, "More than 10,500 students reside on Stony Brook University's campus, and their safety and well-being are our highest priority. For those who choose to live off campus, the University provides guidance and resources to help students identify safe, legal housing and encourages them to use our Off-Campus Living services when searching for rentals. While this privately owned, off-campus residence is not affiliated with Stony Brook University, we are aware of the Town's concerns regarding the property. We will continue to support any students who may have been affected. Questions regarding the Town's investigation should be directed to the Town of Brookhaven."

The defendants face a maximum fine of $436,000 and up to 90 days in jail if convicted.

According to town property records and a source, the Stony Brook homeowners who were charged are Juan Lin and Xingtao Liu.

The town only identified the defendants as a husband and wife but said their full identities will be released following their arraignment, which is scheduled for today in Suffolk County Sixth District Court.