At 7:28AM on Friday October 5, 2007 the Mineola Fire Department was alerted for a building fire at 45 Mineola Blvd. Upon arrival First Assistant Chief Robert Connolly was met by a contractor who was working in an adjacent building and smelled smoke. The source appeared to be the Blimpie restaurant and the smoke was now beginning to fill the store. Chief Connolly Transmitted a Signal “98” which alert responding units that “Smoke is showing” The Chief then forced the door and entered the restaurant where there was a moderate smoke condition but no visible fire. Second Assistant Chief Joseph Pratt arrived on scene and the Chiefs began opening up the sidewalk basement access doors. At this point it became evident that the fire was located in the common basement below the row of stores. As Chief Connolly coordinated the responding units, Chief Pratt initiated an interior search for the fire.

Engine 161 arrived on scene and established a water supply as members from both Engine 1 and Engine 3 worked together to stretch a hose line to the front of the building. Ladder 165 arrived on scene and the under the direction of Capt. Jeffrey Clark the members of Truck Co#2 entered the basement with Chief Pratt to search for the fire. Using the Thermal Imaging Camera they located several hot spots in the basement where it appeared that a smoldering fire had been burning for some time. As the ceiling and walls were opened, pockets of fire were found burning through the basement into the first floor. Heavy Rescue 1610 was directed to respond to the rear of the building. Second Lieutenant Carl Nunziata of Truck Company #2 had additional firefighters from the Truck Company begin opening up the floor as the Engine companies stretched their hose in to douse the fire.

The Nassau County Fire Marshals office was requested to the respond to the scene as well as The Mineola Building Inspector and the Nassau County Board of Health. The Mineola Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary also came out and provided refreshments to the firefighters at the scene. During the course of the fire an additional alarm for a Carbon Monoxide detector was also handled by Chief Pratt and Co#3 Engine 167. All Mineola Units were released at 1:20pm and thankfully there were no injuries.