by Mike Schnitzel
Chung Sounghee, who has owned the Country Corner Deli for about three years, noticed evidence of a fire around 2 p.m. "I noticed a cloud of smoke coming from the basement around two," said Sounghee. "I really couldn't see anything but a lot of smoke.
"When we first got here we were told by people on the scene that it was a propane fire, so I and two other policemen roped off the area and set up a perimeter due to the threat of explosion," said Lynbrook Police Chief Joseph Neve.
The fire department determined that there was no propane on the scene, finding only a can of refrigerant in the basement of the deli.
"When I first got here there was heavy smoke coming out of the front door and the basement door [of the deli]," said Lynbrook Fire Chief James McDermott. "An aggressive effort by the department prevented further damage." The fire was secured by the fire department at about 3:15 p.m.
The Country Corner Deli sustained fire and smoke damage, and smoke damage was also reported in Joe's Pizza, Ruffino's Ristorante, and Merit Power Equipment, the three closest stores to the deli.
There's a lot of damage to my store," said Sounghee.
According to McDermott, the Nassau County Department of Health was notified about the blaze, and the fire and arson unit will investigate the cause.
Firefighters from Lynbrook, Malverne, Rockville Centre, and Lakeview, as well as officers of the Lynbrook Police Department, responded to the blaze. Firefighters from East Rockaway were ready on standby on Denton Avenue.
"We would like to thank Malverne, Lakeview, Rockville Centre, and East Rockaway for their support and mutual aid," said Lynbrook Trustee Richie Clifford, who was on the scene.
