A blazing fire tore through Lynbrook Bicycle on Merrick Road between Vincent and Denton Avenues this morning destroying a store that has sold bicycles for over 25 years in this village.

Lynbrook firefighters were called out for a reported building fire at about 1:15 AM on Tuesday, August 23rd after passerbys saw fire in the front of the store. Deputy Chief Michael Anderson was first on the scene and broadcast a Signal 10 for a working fire at that location. When firefighters arrived on the first engine just two minutes later the store was completely engulfed in flames.

Hose Company was first on the scene and immediately stretched an attack line to the front of the building after they took the hydrant at Merrick Road and Vincent Avenue. That first line was used to knock down the main body of fire that had engulfed the storefront. Due to the large amount of bicycles in the store to include in the ceiling area it was difficult for firefighters to get to the interior fire as the fire soon also blew out the back of the store. While the first line was in operation two additional lines were stretched by Engine Company and Tally-Ho Company from Hose Company's rig.

Two lines were taken to the rear but were not put into operation as the front line continued to knock down the fire. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes but firefighters continued to put out pockets of fire in the cluttered store for hours. While firefighters were putting out the fires, members of Truck Company, and a mutual aid Truck Company from the Rockville Centre FD, laddered the building, went to the roof, and pulled ceilings in the fire building and the two adjoining stores.

Chief Michael Hynes was in charge and he called for additional mutual aid from our neighboring villages to cover any additional fire calls in Lynbrook. Malverne sent a ladder to stand by while Rockville Centre had an engine, and East Rockaway had an ambulance standing by. The Command Post was put into operation and Floodlight's lights were used to light up the street. The Medical Company was on scene with both their ambulances. One firefighter and the store owner received assistance from the Medical Company but they both declined medical treatment.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office also responded to the scene at the request of Chief Hynes based on the heavy volume of fire when firefighter's arrived. The investigation determined that most likely the fire was caused by an electrical problem near the front window of the store where it was determined the fire began. The fire spread upward to the roof and to the back of the store. The fire was contained to the bicycle store although the two adjoining stores did receive damage as doors were opened and ceilings were pulled to make sure the fire had not extended.

Firefighters were on the scene till 4:30 AM. Damage was placed at over $300,000.