Candle starts smokey fire in East Rockaway

A resident of the Morton Street home ran in to save the family’s goldfish.

Mary Malloy/Herald

MEmbers of the East Rockaway Fire Department snuffed out the fire minutes after arriving at the scene.

Mary Malloy/Herald

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The East Rockaway Fire Department was called to a “Signal 10” — a working fire —last Saturday evening on Morton Avenue. According to Chief Peter Chojnacki, the small fire was attributed to a citronella candle that ignited on the second-story deck. In the chief’s absense, Third Assistant Chief James Henshaw was in charge. The Hewlett and Lynbrook ambulances were called in as a precaution because of the high temperatures and humidity. “A good job was done by all,” said Henshaw. There were no injuries. Arriving at the scene, a resident of the home, upon seeing that his family was safe, still ran into the house — followed by police — and returned with the family goldfish.