By Brian Zanzonico
Eleven Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department firefighters were injured battling the blaze, Chief Anthony Locicero said.
Six firefighters suffered heat exhaustion or smoke inhalation and were taken to area hospitals, while four others were treated at the scene for cuts and bruises. One fireman was shocked by a fallen power line after he tripped and put his hand down in a puddle to brace himself. He was released from the hospital later that night.
The fire started just before 1 p.m. in the yard of 619 Smith St., a ranch-style home owned by New York City firefighter Charles Mastrandrea, who lived there with his wife and three school-age daughters, Locicero said. Mastrandrea's wife and the girls were home at the time but escaped unharmed, said a neighbor, Jerry Gioia. Locicero said that the owners of the house next door, at 625 Smith St., which also suffered damage to the roof and rear of the home, were away on a camping trip.
The chief said he was uncertain whether the lightning that struck the Long Island Power Authority pole followed the power lines into both houses simultaneously, or started a chain reaction. "We were fighting the fire at 619, then 625 started showing smoke," Locicero said. "We didn't know it was involved."
Locicero said that in 15 years as a firefighter, he has fought only three fires sparked by lightning strikes. Elizabeth Flagler, a LIPA media relations representative, explained that hundreds of utility poles can be struck by lightning during a storm, but it is uncommon for such a strike to start a fire. "It's very rare, an act of God we have no control over," she said.
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