Vigilant Fire Company received multiple calls reporting a house fire next to 24 Hillside Ave. in the Village of Great Neck Estates on Saturday, June 10, at 4:01 p.m.
Shortly thereafter, police on the scene reported a working house fire. Chief Josh Forst had the Vigilant dispatcher notify the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department for a firefighter assist-and-search team and the Alert Fire Company for two engines and a ladder.
Upon Forst’s arrival at 4:05 p.m., he discovered fire on the exterior side of the house with some extension inside, and transmitted a Signal 10 alerting Port Washington, Plandome and Manhasset-Lakeville to stand by in the area to handle calls.
Through the combined efforts of the responding volunteers, the main body of fire was knocked down within 20 minutes, and the fire was under control within 40 minutes.
Vigilant responded with one engine, one ladder, one rescue truck, two ambulances, one paramedic vehicle and three chiefs’ cars.
The Manhasset-Lakeville ambulance handled one EMS alarm at the train station during the fire.
One member from the Alert Fire Company was evaluated for exhaustion and refused treatment/transport.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office determined the fire started in an electrical box outside the house. The homeowners were in Manhattan when the fire started and praised the efforts of their local volunteers.
“Time and time again, our dedicated membership along with our mutual side companies step up to protect our neighbors and this was just another example,”
said Forst. “I am extremely proud of our members.”
