Fire marshal: Nassau Ave. fire was electrical

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A fire that started in the basement and engulfed a house on Nassau Avenue in Malverne last week was labeled an accidental electrical fire by the Nassau County fire marshal’s office. It began while several National Grid contractors were in the house, changing the service from low- to high-pressure gas, the office stated.

“Some electrical wiring in the house failed and started the fire,” James Hickman, supervisor of the fire marshal’s office’s Investigations Division, explained. “There was gas work going on at the time — they were changing the service — but I can’t tell you whether the gas service contributed to it or not.” Hickman added, “I don’t know the process for putting new gas lines in.”

The old gas line had already been separated from the home when the fire erupted, Hickman said, and National Grid contractors were in the process of getting ready to put the new line in.

There was a 911 call reporting the fire at 10:52 a.m. on July 20, according to the Malverne Police Department, and Malverne firefighters were on the scene three minutes later. “We were met with heavy smoke and a glow of fire in every window of the house,” said Fire Chief James Lang. “Richard Bopp, our second deputy in chief, arrived at the scene first, and saw a basement full of fire.”

The blaze quickly spread to the first floor and forced one occupant of the home to jump from the second floor into the arms of National Grid contractors below. No injuries were reported.

The following day, another fire began in the house, sending the Fire Department back to the scene. Neighbors reported seeing heavy smoke coming out of the second-story windows and hearing the firefighters tearing down the walls.

A collection for the displaced family has been arranged by community leaders. Organizers are asking for donations of cash, checks, gift cards and debit cards. Checks should be made payable to Russell Asch and mailed to the attention of Tom Grech at P.O. Box 410, Malverne, N.Y. 11565.