Christmas Eve House Fire on Linden Avenue.

Photos by Brian Grogan

 

Firefighters were called from their homes on Christmas Eve just before 9 PM for a reported fire at 102 Linden Street on the corner of Broadway.  First Assistant Chief Nick Pearsall was first on the scene and saw fire in a first-floor room.  He broadcast a Signal 10 for a working fire to the responding fire units.  Vulcan Company, who was already on the road, was first on the scene and took the hydrant across the house.  As it was not known if anyone was in the home, an immediate search was made, and the home was found empty.  The first hose line, maned by Vulcan Company members, was taken through the front door into the dining room on the first floor where the fire was climbing up the wall to the second floor.  As that was quickly knocked down,

Chief of Department William Abrams, advised interior units of a fire in the basement.  A second hose line, manned by Engine Company and Hose Company members was taken down into the basement where the fire had originated.  A third line, maned by Tally-Ho and Hose Company members was taken to the second floor.   The fire had climbed from the basement, up the wall in the second-floor bedroom to the attic area above. 

Meanwhile, Truck Company members had to cut through steel bars to ventilate the basement windows.  As firefighters attempted to break through a tough tongue and grove ceiling in the second-floor bedroom a closet door blew open and a flash of fire came out over the heads of the firefighters.  The firefighters quickly exited the room.  The fire had ignited super-heated gases in the attic and ceiling space.  When the firefighters made a second attempt, a second blast exploded over their heads.  At this point, Chief Abrams, who was directing fire operations, ordered the firefighters to evacuate the home.  After a short exterior operation, hose lines returned to the second floor and extinguished remaining pockets of fire.   Chief Abrams also called for mutual aid from neighboring departments.  Valley Stream, East Rockaway, Malverne, Rockville Centre and Oceanside Fire Departments sent firefighters to the scene or stood-by to cover other alarms in Lynbrook. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office.   According to Chief Abrams, It is believed that the fire, which began in the basement, had been burning for a few hours before it was spotted by a neighbor who called the fire department.  Six firefighters received minor injuries and were treated at the scene by the Emergency Medical Company and released.  Firefighters were finally released at 11:15 PM.