Shed fire damages two Elmont homes

The Elmont Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of a fire at a two-story home, located at 10 Cedar St. in Elmont, on Sunday, March 13, around 4:30 p.m. As units arrived at the scene, firefighters observed that the fire was not only in the home on Cedar Street, but also in the adjacent home, at 58 Essex Rd.

Dave Ragusa, a member of the Elmont Fire Department, said upon seeing the second home on fire, Elmont Fire Chief James Prince immediately notified all incoming units and requested additional assistance from surrounding fire departments. Michael Capoziello, first assistant chief of the Elmont Fire Department, said that all Elmont companies were operating at the scene, and mutual aid was provided by the Floral Park, Franklin Square and Malverne fire departments.

Capoziello said the fire began in an outdoor shed that was against the Cedar Street home, and between the Cedar Street home and the Essex Road home. The radiant heat from the shed fire caused both homes to catch fire, he said. “Units were met with a heavy fire condition between the two houses … the space between the houses was very small,” Capoziello said, adding that there was heavy fire damage to the second floors of both homes, and heavy fire damage to the kitchen on the Essex Road home’s first floor.

Capoziello said injuries were reported. “Both houses were occupied at the time, and everyone got out,” he said. Investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene to determine the cause and origin of the fire, both of which are still under investigation.