Firefighters Save Man from Torched Home

Story from ERFD, Photos by Brian Grogan

On March 30, 2020 at approximately 1150am the East Rockaway Fire Department was alerted for a house fire at 9 Elbert Place. 1^st Deputy Chief Roeill was the first arriving unit and transmitted a “Signal 10” for a confirmed house fire and gained additional information that a person may be trapped within the structure.
At that time Chief Roeill with the assistance of NCPD Police Officers Jenn Akron, Jarryd Ruff and John Ingardia tried to gain entry to the house. Chief Roeill and PO Ingardia tried to gain access to the front down which had been nailed shut with a 2x4 at the same time PO Akron and Ruff were attempting to gain access through the rear door at that time Lynbrook Fire Department Chief Nick Pearsall arrived and asked Chief Roeill what he needed and was instructed to assist PO Akron, Ingardia and Ruff with the rear door. Chief Pearsall and NCPO’s Akron, Ruff and Ingardia were able to breach the rear door which was also barricaded shut also, Chief Pearsall then entered the structure wearing full PPE to locate the victim who was on the floor behind a couch at that time Chief Pearsall attempted to drag the victim out of the structure but was met with resistance and the victim ran into the basement. Chief Pearsall was met by Ex-Captain James Monaco of the East Rockaway FD who informed Chief Pearsall that the victim ran into the basement at that time Ex-Captain Monaco and Chief Pearsall both were able to gain control of the victim and bring him out to safety in which they handed him off to the Nassau County Police Officers. If it wasn’t for the team work and professionalism of these individuals Kevin Meyer would not be alive today.   

Engine 405, quickly followed by Engine 404, Engine 406, Ladder 403, and Ambulance 408 made an aggressive fire attack to quickly suppress the blaze.
The department was supported by the mutual aid response from the following departments: Oceanside Fire Department, Lakeview Fire Department, Hewlett Fire Department, Lynbrook Fire Department, Rockville Centre Fire Department, Malverne Fire Department, and Valley Stream Fire Department. All units were under command of Deputy Chief Roeill, assisted by Deputy Chief Bilardello and Chief Pignataro.