Fire displaces two Valley Stream families

Five people were displaced from their home early Wednesday morning after a fire started in the basement and quickly spread throughout a house on Central Avenue in Valley Stream.

Firefighters from Valley Stream and several other departments were called to 153 Central Ave. shortly before 6:30 a.m. on April 2. The fire caused heavy damage to the two-story white home, located between Felton and Remsen avenues. The house contained two apartments.

The fire was under control in about an hour, but firefighters were still chasing flames through the walls and ceilings until about 9:30 a.m. Fire Chief John Beck Jr. said the fire spread easily because the house is balloon-frame construction. "It means everything is open, from the attic to the basement in the walls," he said.

Firefighters were called back to the scene at around 10:30 a.m. to open up walls for the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office, which is investigating the cause.

The Red Cross of Long Island provided two families with money for food and clothing, and said all the displaced residents were able to find another place to stay. Everyone escaped safely.

Tom McAleer, Valley Stream’s building superintendent, said the house was not structurally sound after the fire. He noted that there were several holes in the floor, and the frame was compromised in the right back corner where the fire burned intensely.

McAleer said the owner of the home will have to hire an engineer to determine if it can be repaired, or if it has to be torn down. According to property records, the building dates back to 1918. McAleer said it is a legal two-family house.

Assistance was provided at the scene by the Elmont, Franklin Square, Malverne, Hewlett, Rockville Centre and Lawrence-Cedarhurst fire departments. One firefighter from Rockville Centre was transported to a local hospital after feeling ill.

The cause of the fire is not considered suspicious.