Blaze at Island Park custom car shop

The Island Park Fire Department responded to two working building fires on Apr. 29. The first was dispatched at just after five a. m. after it received reports of building fire in the vicinity of Outback Steakhouse in Island Park.

Upon arrival, Chief James Sarro found a working building fire for a fire in a one story commercial building at 3941 Austin Boulevard, an auto mechanic shop. Fire was quickly put out with minimal structure damage. Island Park was aided by Oceanside and Long Beach. The operations were under the command of Chief Ed Madden. Cause of fire unknown and is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal.

The fire department received help from four other departments in fighting a fire at Mean Street Custom Automotive at 4188 Austin Boulevard in Island Park on Apr. 29.

According to Fire Chief Ed Madden the owner was working on a car, and had a drop light on the floor. Some gasoline spilled and rolled toward the hot light, breaking the glass, and starting the fire. The owner tried to extinguish the blaze but was unable to.

Chief Anthony D’Esposito was first on the scene. He said the fire was fully involved when he arrived. Backup and assistance was called in from Oceanside, Point Lookout, Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre and Long Beach. About 100 men and 15 pieces of equipment responded.

Madden said the building inspector has declared the building substantially damaged and it has to be torn down. He added, being a custom shop they had some older model cars inside.

There were no major injuries, Madden said, but there were some cuts and scrapes.

Island Park resident Tricia Quinto was a customer. She praised owner Eric Krobath for managing to save the parts for her 1962 Chevrolet NOVA from the burning building.