MINEOLA
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Jericho Turnpike Building Fire
On Thursday, August 27th, at approximately 1244 hours, we were alerted for smoke coming from the building at 159 Jericho Turnpike. The first arriving unit was Tower Ladder 168 who transmitted the working fire. Engine 162 followed right behind and hit the hydrant directly behind the building. Incident Command was Truck 2 1st Lieutenant C. Strauss who was assisted by Truck 2 Ex-Captain B. Strauss.
Mineola Fire launched an immediate search for victims in the occupied 2nd-floor apartments led by Truck Two 2nd Lieutenant B. Corrigan. This was coordinated with an aggressive interior attack led by Engine One 2nd Lieutenant N. Ressa (2nd floor) and Engine Three Captain D. Magalhaes (1st floor).
A structural collapse necessitated a transition to defensive operations. Multiple tower ladders and master streams were placed in operation utilizing assets from our Mutual aid Partners. The fire extended into the adjacent store but was quickly stopped. Crews were on the scene for over five hours.
Mutual aid came from Garden City Truck, Williston Park Engine, Williston Park Tower Ladder, East Williston Engine, Carle Place FAST, Roslyn Highlands FAST, Hempstead Ladder 2, Hempstead Truck 1, Hempstead Engine 4, Westbury Truck, New Hyde Park Engine, South Floral Park Engine, Bellrose Terrace Engine, Bellrose Village Engine, West Hempstead Truck, Port Washington Truck, Albertson Engine, Floral Park Truck, Manhasset Lakeville Truck, Garden City Park Heavy Rescue, Stewart Manor Truck, NCPD, NCPD EAB, Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corp. (MVAC), Firecom Field Comm, Firecom Rehab, Nassau County OEM and others.
Our hearts go out to the residents, the Piccolo Bussola family, and the Discount Store.
There are donation pages set up for those affected by the fire. Thank you to Arditos, Bairrada, Dunkin Donuts, local restaurants, and residents who donated food and refreshments.