An electrical fire broke out at a home on Saint Marks Avenue in Bellmore on Sunday evening, prompting a response from several area fire departments, according to the Bellmore Fire Department.
The department was alerted to the fire at about 8:40 p.m. at a home between Clarendon Street and Merrick Road. Second Assistant Chief James Constantin was first to arrive and reported a fire in an exterior electrical panel and smoke coming from the basement windows.
Chief of Department Eric Ozechowski took command and directed Bellmore Engine 603 and Merrick Fire Department Engine 643 to secure hydrants and stretch two lines, fire officials said.
Constantin entered the unoccupied home and, during a primary search, reported heavy smoke throughout the house and flames coming through the floor above the electrical panel in the basement. Ozechowski then upgraded the call to a working fire, according to the department.
Firefighters ventilated the home and brought the blaze under control a short time later. Crews from Bellmore Engines 601, 602 and 603, Ladder 606 and Heavy Rescue 607 conducted overhaul operations to check for hidden pockets of fire and prevent a rekindling. Bellmore Ambulance 6011 handled medical command.
Mutual aid at the scene included Merrick Engine 643 and Ladder 6412, Wantagh Ladder 6911 and North Merrick Ambulance 677. Seaford Ladder 683 and North Merrick Engine 674 provided standby coverage at Bellmore Fire Department headquarters, while Bellmore-Merrick EMS provided emergency medical coverage.
