By Sari Zeidler
According to fire officials, the blaze, sparked by a faulty electrical cord, broke out at 1:50 a.m. A baker tried to extinguish it, but could not. The fire then spread to the Robeks smoothie franchise and the Starfish Cafe next door.
No injuries were reported. William Gies, assistant chief of the Merrick Fire Department, estimated the damage at $3 million.
Adam Rosner, owner of the Bagel Boss chain, which has 12 Long Island locations, said, "I'm broken down. I built that store with my hands in 1989."
Nonetheless, Rosner added, "Bagel Boss will be back in the town -- if not at that location, then some other we secure." He said that the Town of Hempstead Buildings Department must determine whether the Merrick Road location can be rebuilt or if it must be demolished. Rosner expects to learn the department's decision within a week.
Representatives of Robeks and Starfish could be reached at press time.
Local residents expressed support for Bagel Boss through the social-networking Web site Facebook. Messages such as, "They'll rebuild. Merrick wouldn't be the same without it," written by user David Schwartz, were posted on a page titled "RIP Bagel Boss." At press time, 600 members had joined the page.
Two hundred firefighters from nine departments, including Merrick, battled the blaze. Gies said that firefighters remained on the scene until almost 11:35 a.m.
Officials said the fire was deemed accidental and was not suspicious.
Comments about this story? SZeidler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
