By Cindy J. Roth
Two fires in one week at the station led investigators to suspect arson from the inside, as 65 volunteers were the only ones who had keys to the locked firehouse.
The first fire on April 28 broke out at 4 a.m. in the station's kitchen. Volunteers extinguished the blaze in short order, and moderate damage was reported.
The May 3 fire that broke out at 5 a.m., however, ripped through the building's second story, causing an estimated $1 million in damage. The Bellmore chief's office was located on the second floor, along with the department's fax and photocopy machines and computer.
Seaman, 19, a Bellmore volunteer for three years and a Nassau BOCES custodian, had no prior criminal record, but suspicions were aroused when many people said they often saw Seaman at the firehouse alone, according to police.
Seaman faces up to 15 years in prison for the charges against him. Rich Hinshaw, public information officer for Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon, said Seaman pleaded guilty in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. He is asking to serve one to three years in prison.
Seaman's sentencing is set for April 9. Hinshaw could say not exactly what sentence the District Attorney's Office would recommend in the case, but it would be more than one to three years.
Firefighters from the North Bellmore, Merrick, North Merrick, Wantagh and Seaford fire departments were called to help battle the May 3 blaze and provide coverage for Bellmore and surrounding communities. More than 100 firefighters brought the fire under control in less than an hour. Three volunteers suffered minor injuries.
A representative of the Bellmore Fire District could not be reached for comment at press time.
