By JUDY RATTNER
According to FireCom, which dispatches the RVCFD, "numerous calls" came in for smoke pouring from the building at 142 South Long Beach Rd. at 6:51 p.m.
Second Assistant Chief John Busching was first on the scene at the Rockside Deli, and transmitted a "Signal 10, Working Fire."
Under the direction of Chief of Department Michael Lapkowski, responding firefighters forced open both the front and side doors of the building, attacking the fire that apparently started in the rear and then spread throughout the business.
Members of the Ladder Company went to the roof, cutting holes to vent the smoke and heat.
As the entire fire department was involved in fighting the blaze, mutual aid was called in from neighboring departments. Oceanside sent a Ladder Company with its F.A.S.T. team in case any firefighters got hurt during the operation, and Lynbrook and East Rockaway sent trucks to stand by at fire headquarters for other alarms while firefighters were busy.
The blaze was knocked down quickly, but the volunteers were on hand for about an hour doing overhaul work and searching for hidden pockets of fire.
According to a preliminary investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office, the blaze appears to have started from a short in the motor of a refrigerator.
Fire Department Chief Lapkowski reported no injuries. Rockside Deli suffered extensive damage, caused by flames, smoke and water, as the fire appeared to have been burning inside the closed business for some time before passersby noticed the smoke. Rockville Centre police reported that a connecting building at 140 South Long Beach Rd., the office of Centre Electric, also suffered damage. Firefighters packed up at about 8:30 p.m.
Rory J. Thompson contributed to this story.
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