Lynbrook VFW: ‘We will be back’ after fire

Firefighters check the damage after attending to the fire at the Lynbrook VFW.

Courtesy Mark Kasner

One firefighter was injured in this Christmas Eve blaze at the Lynbrook VFW.

Courtesy Lynbrook Fire Department

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A fire ripped through the Howard Lathrop Post 2307 VFW in Lynbrook on Christmas Eve, nearly destroying the building, which is more than six decades old, and injuring one firefighter.

“Patches from countless units of all branches of the service that once lined our lounge walls — gone,” said Pat Cardone, the Lynbrook VFW commander for the past five years and a member since 1995. “Plaques from past members who gave so much of themselves … all of these, irreplaceable.”

At 12:13 p.m. on Dec. 24, Lynbrook firefighters were responding to a reported propane gas leak on a truck on Peninsula Boulevard when Engine Company 1, headed to the scene on Merrick Road, saw smoke coming from the VFW, on the corner of Merrick Road and Vincent Avenue. It broadcast a Signal 10 for a working fire and immediately hooked up to the hydrant on the corner.

Once inside, firefighters were met with smoke and heavy fire in the bar and lounge area, according to Lynbrook Fire Department spokesman Steve Grogan, which could only be reached by way of a long hallway.

“I parked and ran toward the building in shock,” said Cardone, adding that he found out about the blaze from a friend.

The department’s Truck Company also arrived, and set up a bucket to the roof at the back of the building while a second ladder was set up in front. Fire Chief Michael Hynes requested mutual aid from surrounding villages. Rockville Centre’s ladder company responded and set up a ladder at the front of the building.

Lynbrook and Rockville Centre firefighters cut through the roof to vent the heat and smoke for the firefighters below, who attacked the main body of fire in the bar area, Grogan said. Additional units from East Rockaway, Malverne, Lakeview and Valley Stream also responded.

It took firefighters over an hour to bring the fire under control, and they remained at the scene for another hour to make sure the fire had not spread to other areas of the building.

A firefighter working on the roof was injured, suffering a gash to his head, Grogan said, and Lynbrook’s Emergency Medical Company transported him to the hospital, where he was treated and released.