Lynbrook firefighters fought a stubborn fire in the ceiling and roof of the Lynbrook Diner on Sunrise Highway on Monday night.
Firefighters, under the command of Chief Edward Hynes, were called out at 11:15 p.m. for a report of smoke inside the diner, located at 401 Sunrise Highway on the corner of Randall Avenue.
When Chief Ed Hynes arrived on the scene, he ordered the first arriving engine to take the nearest hydrant and supply hose lines. When firefighters only found light smoke inside the building, they began removing ceiling tiles to find the reason for the smoke.
Lynbrook police had already arrived on the scene, and all diner employees and patrons were already outside of the building when firefighters arrived.
When the multiple-layered ceiling above the front door area was opened, fire was found moving from the front into the dining area.
Meanwhile, Engine Company 1, which was first on the scene and had taken the hydrant on the corner of Randall Avenue and Shipherd Street, stretched three hose lines with the help of the other arriving fire companies. One line was quickly moved inside and attacked the flames as it was spreading in the ceiling.
Truck Company, with their tower ladder in the front of the building, moved firefighters to the roof. Their second ladder was in the back behind the building.
Firefighters on the roof then opened the roof with axes and power saws. When the roof was opened, flames rose high out of the opening. When firefighters inside fighting the fire in the ceiling could not get through the many multiple layers of ceiling and roofing to totally extinguish the fire, a second line was taken to the roof and was able to put the fire out on the roof.
Lynbrook had the assistance of the Rockville Centre Fire Department that sent a ladder to the scene, while East Rockaway sent a rescue vehicle. Malverne and Rockville Centre also had units standing by to cover additional calls in Lynbrook.
The fire, which was stopped over the entrance area before it spread throughout the building, was under control in about 30 minutes, but firefighters were on the scene for about 90 minutes.
Damage was estimated to be $50,000. There were no reported injuries.
The fire was believed caused by an electrical problem with the neon lights on the front of the building facade.
