By Matt Hampton
While the blaze is believed to have started in one of the shop’s ovens, fire marshals are still investigating.
Several bakers were at work in the back of the shop on Sunday when they discovered that one of the ovens had caught fire, according to Nassau County police detectives. The fire was called in to the Franklin Square Munson Fire Department at 6:40 p.m., and units responded from the Franklin Square, Elmont, West Hempstead, Garden City, Malverne and Stewart Manor fire departments. A dozen trucks were on the scene, as were some 125 firefighters from around the county.
A source in the fire department said that the blaze, which took firefighters 90 minutes to bring under control, quickly spread from the baking ovens into the ceiling of the building. Once that happened, it was just a matter of time before the entire roof went up.
“It’s pretty common when it gets up into the ceiling like that, it kind of spreads back and forth along the roof,” the firefighter said. “Most of the roof was destroyed in the fire, and part of it collapsed.”
Only one injury was reported — a firefighter’s sprained ankle.
According to police and fire sources, the blaze was contained within A&S. The shop, at 761 Hempstead Turnpike, has been a gathering place for Franklin Square residents for many years. “It’s a sad day in Franklin Square,” said Chamber of Commerce President Mary Seifert. “I just told everyone [in the Chamber] that we need to band together and support our fellow merchant in his time of need.”
The loss of A&S, a family-owned business run by Nino Scolleri and his son Greg, roused immediate reactions in the community. Assemblyman Tom Alfano (R-Franklin Square) said he was taken aback when he discovered what had happened. He pledged to support any rebuilding effort that would restore the local landmark.
“As I drove down Hempstead Turnpike, I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Alfano said. “There were firetrucks everywhere in front of A&S Bagels. Nino, his employees and his family bleed Franklin Square through and through and are friends to all. ... There may have been a fire today, but tomorrow, A&S will be rebuilt.”
Pending an investigation by the Nassau County fire marshal, the fire has been deemed not suspicious. Calls to a member of the Scolleri family were not returned.
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liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
