Mineola's Bravest respond to House Fire (01/08/07)
On Monday, January 8, 2007 at 12:51 pm. The Mineola Fire Department was alerted for a House Fire in the vicinity of 49 Washington Ave in Mineola. Assistant Chief Robert Connolly advised he was responding and FIRECOM informed him that the caller said the house across the street was on fire. FIRECOM also dispatched Williston Park Fire Department to respond with a ladder truck because both of Mineola's Ladders were out of service. Chief Connolly arrived on scene simultaneously with Williston Park FD Chiefs James Smith and William Shannon. Heavy smoke was visible from the first floor and several civilians were running from the rear of the house. A Signal 98 was transmitted indicating to units that "Smoke/Fire showing". A neighbor advised the chief that he believed the occupants of the house were all out. Chief Connolly entered the rear of the house and found a basement fire that was extending into the first floor. The Chief upgraded the call to a Signal 10 "Working House Fire" which automatically adds a second alarm assignment. Williston Park Chief Shannon was assigned to interior operations and Chief Smith was assigned to coordinate the mutual aid response from the Williston Park Truck Company. Engine 161 arrived on scene and secured a hydrant in front of the house. Engine Co#1 Second Lieutenant Augie Gomes lead an aggressive interior attack on the first floor of the house to cut off the rapidly extending fire. The members of Truck Co#2 arrived on Heavy Rescue 1610 and began venting the basement and first floor windows. Williston Park Ladder 862 took a position in front of the house a dispatched a crew to the roof to check for extension in the attic. Chief Shannon coordinated the primary search of all floors of the house using members from both Mineola and Williston Park. The members of Engine Co#3 responded up to the scene and pulled an additional hose line to the side door of the house which provided direct access to the basement. This line was stretched into the basement to begin to attack the seat of the fire. The Second alarm assignment arrived on scene consisting of one ladder company from the Garden City FD, Firefighter Assist Search Team ("FAST") from Garden City Park FD and two ambulances from The Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps.(MVAC) Firefighters from Garden City FD were quickly put to work overhauling the fire in the basement and checking for hot spots. MVAC reported three injuries during the course of the fire. Two Mineola Firefighters suffered sprained ankles and were treated at the scene. One Civilian was transported to Winthrop Hospital. In addition, assistance was received from Nassau County Police who provided a police ambulance and several patrol units to secure the scene. As reports came in that the fire had been extinguished and searches were negative, Mineola Command placed the fire under control. The Nassau County Fire Marshals Office responded to the scene and their preliminary investigation indicates the fire was accidental and possibly electrical in nature.
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