The Mineola Fire Department (MFD) responded to more than 60 alarms last month, including two signal 98 “smoke showing” and two signal 10 “working house fires.” The MFD was recently alerted to a house fire at 155 Grant Ave. Second assistant chief Chief Rob Connolly was the first to respond and was notified by Nassau County Fire Communications that the caller stated that there was a fire. Upon arrival, there was thick smoke pushing out of the rear door of the house. Connolly forced open the door to find a large body of fire burning in the rear porch and climbing into the second floor. First assistant chief Brian Santosus arrived on scene and transmitted a signal 10 “working fire.” Chief of Department Jeff Clark arrived on scene and took command. The fire burned through the roof of the first floor extension of the house and was rapidly extending up the rear of the house into the attic. Tower Ladder 168 led by Captain Andrew Martone and Engine 162 led by first lieutenant Kevin Nicoll were the first pieces of apparatus to arrive on scene and went quickly to work. Engine 162 crew made an aggressive interior attack containing the fire to the rear of the house. An additional hose line was stretched to protect the adjoining homes which were being impinged upon by the large volume of fire. Engine 166 lead by first lieutenant Mike Eich stretched a second line to the second floor while Ladder 165 did primary searches on the second floor and assisted with overhaul. Williston Park Ladder and Garden City Park FAST team and Mineola Ambulance Corps assisted at the scene. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal. Standing by in Mineola’s quarters, Garden City Ladder and New Hyde Park engine responded to a fire alarm at Winthrop Hospital during the Grant Avenue Fire.
The Mineola Fire Department was also recently alerted for a house fire at 439 Foch Blvd. First assistant chief Santosus responded and was notified by Firecom that they were receiving multiple calls on the house fire. Santosus arrived on scene and transmitted the Signal 10 “working fire.” Santosus provided a preliminary size up to the responding units advising them that there was a bedroom fire on the second floor. Engine 162 was first on scene and stretched a line up to the second floor and quickly knocked down the burning bedroom. Tower Ladder 168 arrived on scene and checked for extension into the attic as well as searched for any victims. Ladder 165 and engines 161 and 166 assisted in the searches and stretched a second line. Williston Park truck responded as the additional truck and assisted ladder 165. Garden City Park was the FASTeam along with Mineola Ambulance Corps at scene. Garden City truck and New Hyde Park engine stood by at Mineola Headquarters to take in any additional alarms in Mineola.
—Submitted by the Mineola Fire Department
