Valley Stream fire deemed arson

A fire early Sunday morning at a Valley Stream dry cleaning business was intentionally set, police and fire officials say.

The fire broke out shortly before 5 a.m. on Dec. 8 at Purr-fect Cleaners. About 75 firefighters from Valley Stream, Elmont and Lawrence-Cedarhurst responded to the scene. The blaze, which burned in the center of the store, was under control within 20 minutes.

The building, located at South Central and Buscher avenues, sustained only moderate fire damage, said Valley Stream Chief John Beck Jr. However, he said, the items inside were not salvageable. “Everything was destroyed due to smoke or water or fire,” he said.

Since the fire, customers who had items in for dry cleaning have been figuring out what to do. Paul Hoffman, of Valley Stream, said he had expensive clothes there, including suits, shirts and pants. “I don’t know what to do here,” he said. “My biggest concern here is I don’t have my tickets, because they just pull me up in the computer by my phone number.”

Hoffman said he has been a customer there for several years. When he went there to find out what his cleaning bill was, he saw the store all boarded up. He added that having to go out and buy all new clothes right before the holidays is going to be difficult.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office responded to the scene, and following an investigation, determined that the cause was arson. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.