Automatic Sprinkler Douses Restaurant Kitchen Fire
A fire in the kitchen at the Royal Bukhara Grill at 70 Broadway was quickly brought under control by the building’s automatic sprinkler system, preventing what could have been a major downtown blaze. Hicksville’s dispatcher received the alarm at 1:40 p.m. on July 31. Damage (mostly water) was confined to the kitchen area. Four units, 40 firefighters responded under command of Captain Matt Koopman of Engine Co. 2. The building involved was the former Reptile Museum, a two-story, old wood-frame structure with many add-on structures over the years. The structure goes from Broadway all the way west to Jerusalem Avenue. No injuries were reported.
Close Call At Early Morning House Fire
Hicksville firefighters, under Chief of Department Christopher Moskos, responded to a 9-1-1 call from a home on West John Street near the Hicksville Post Office at 12:13 a.m. on Aug. 1. No information was available as the caller hung up. Enhanced 9-1-1 enabled county fire communications to pinpoint the location. A language barrier appeared to be the problem, according to emergency personnel. First arriving units on scene reported all occupants outside and heavy smoke in the structure with water everywhere. Some of the residents extinguished the fire with a garden hose preventing a more serious fire.
There were nine occupants; four were children, some blackened by soot. One occupant suffered minor burns on his hands and was treated at the scene by Hicksville Fire Department E.M.S. members and transported to the Nassau County Medical Center. The fire caused moderate damage to one room and heavy smoke damage to the house. There were no working smoke detectors found in the house. In total, 60 firefighters and five units responded. The Nassau County Fire Marshal is investigating and the cause is listed as undetermined.
