A nightmare on Brooklyn Avenue

Get ready for a gallery of ghouls, a house of horrors, a firehouse of fright. With the third annual Brooklyn Avenue Firehouse haunted house opening its doors on Oct. 1, several Valley Stream Fire Department Engine Company No. 2 members promise that this year will be a much bigger, better and scarier thrill.

“People who want to be scared will be scared,” said Steve Acquavella, one of the firefighters on the Halloween committee. “It is a completely different setup from last year. You will get your money’s worth, without a doubt.”

But Capt. Jason Croak warns you not to run or hide unless you want a spooky character to stop you. Several firefighters using about 100 different costumes are prepped and ready to make you scream. “We added 25 more costumes this year so we could change it up,” Acquavella said.

And with lots of smoke and lights, characters are not the only thing to incite your fear. Ghouls, goblins, monsters and other outlandish creatures are stalking around each corner to Halloween theme music. Firefighters estimate it will be a 15- to 20-minute trip through the several rooms. Other tricks and treats include food vendors, souvenirs and even a photo booth to take pictures with executioners or other frightening characters.

For added excitement, former Chief Ronny Mastrangelo offered this disclaimer — expect the unexpected. “You never know who is behind you,” Mastrangelo said. “I love to see peoples’ facial expressions on their way out when I work the door. The color of their faces change and it is unimaginable.”

Acquavella added that people as young as 2 and as old as 85 have visited in previous years, with some coming from Pennsylvania and Vermont. And he said that out of 16,000 people that dared to come, about 375 people only made it to the first or second room before running out in fear. “People jump over barricades and we had a couple of people who [threw up],” he said. “I have chased someone three blocks. And we had people go through and leave their shoes….it is the biggest guys who fall the hardest.”

He recalled one woman from last year who had a night of fright — one of his favorite memories. “This lady was on line with four or five people,” he said. “I came out and stood behind her for two minutes looking scary. She turned around, screamed her head off, and said ‘you will not get me.’ When she went inside, I got her again and she screamed hysterically. When we got outside, she hugged and kissed me.”

For those who cannot stomach the scare, there are plenty of escape doors. But, of course, firefighters hope visitors can make it completely through the attraction, but they understand if people choose the non-scare option. “We offer another choice that will not scare you out of your mind,” Acquavella said. “You will have a security person to walk you through it and talk to you. You get the whole show, but not the fear.”

And planning for the “fearfest” has been under way since the end of last year’s run. There is a Halloween committee that meets to brainstorm ideas each year. And Mastrangelo said that the actual setup for the house began in June, with all the construction done by company firefighters.

In addition, the committee makes many changes throughout the process, which include giving a scary facelift to each of the rooms. To get ready for their upcoming opening, about 40 to 50 members worked five days a week for two months to build each display and put up decorations. And though members donated materials during the attraction’s first year, many community businesses also contribute.

With the money earned from their haunted venture, the company can purchase equipment. And they can make sure to buy props and put on a good show for next year’s house.

“Our show might give you nightmares,” Croak said. “And if I know you, it is 10 times worse.”

But the members are very grateful for the community’s love. “We would like to thank the residents for their support.,” Acquavella said. “They are great. And we promise a good time from start to finish. If you like haunted houses, you do not want to miss this.”

Check it out

The haunted house will be open every weekend in October beginning Friday, Oct. 1. The hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m. and Sundays, 6 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. For more information, call the Valley Stream Fire Department at (516) 561-1777.