A firefighter was injured fighting a blaze which nearly destroyed the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall in Lynbrook if not for the quick actions
of Lynbrook volunteer firefighters. At 12:13 PM, Christmas Eve
afternoon, Lynbrook firefighters were responding to a reported propane
gas leak on a truck on Peninsula Blvd when Engine Company 1, traveling
on Merrick Road to the scene, saw smoke coming from the VFW’s one story
building on the corner of Merrick Road and Vincent Avenue. They
broadcast a Signal 10 for a working fire and immediately hooked up to
the hydrant on that corner. With the reported fire, all Lynbrook fire
units diverted to the VFW except for Vulcan Company 2 which had already
arrived at the propane truck call.Engine Company 1 members stretched an
attack line to the front door and crawled into the building finding fire
in the hallway and above them in the ceiling. While they attacked the
fire a second line was stretched and brought in by firefighters from
Tally-Ho Engine 3, and Hose Company 1, who had arrived.
Firefighters continued to move further into the building but were met by
more smoke and heavy fire in the bar and lounge area which could only be
reached by a moving down a hallway. By this time Truck Company had
arrived and set up their bucket to the roof in the back of the building
while their second ladder was set up in front.Lynbrook
Chief Michael Hynes, who was in charge of the operation, requested a
mutual aid from surrounding villages.
Rockville Centre’s ladder responded and also
laddered the front of the building. Lynbrook and Rockville Centre
firefighters went to work cutting through the roof to vent the heat and
smoke for the firefighters below who were now attacking the main body of
fire in the bar area. Additional units from East Rockaway, Malverne,
Lakeview, and Valley Stream, also responded and stood-by.
It took firefighters over an hour to bring the fire under control. They
remained at the scene for another hour to overhaul and make sure the
fire had not extended to other areas of the building. One firefighter
working on the roof was injured and suffered a gash to his head. He was
transported to the hospital by Lynbrook’s Emergency Medical Company.
He was treated, received stitches, and was released.Nassau County Fire
Marshal’s Office also responded at the request of Chief Hynes and they
determined the blaze was most likely caused by an electrical problem in
the bar area where a computer had been located.Chief Hynes commended
Engine Company for spotting the fire while going to the other call. He
also praised the quick work of all the firefighters which contained the
fast moving fire and saved the rest of the building. “If this fire had
not been seen or even called in later, it could have destroyed the whole
building,” said Chief Hynes.
