By Rory J. Thompson
Rockville Centre firefighters responded to the house at about 9:45 p.m., only to be met with flames from the roof and a street filled with thick, black smoke. First on the scene was Second Assistant Chief Mark Murray who reported a Signal 10, "Working Fire."
Neighbors assured firefighters that the house was indeed empty, as the owner had been there that afternoon doing construction work.
"It was a difficult fire to fight, as the flames were above the ceiling in the one-story house," said Chief of Department Peter Grandazza, who directed the operation.
Firefighters forced open the front door and began an aggressive attack. Ladders were raised to the roof, and firefighters had to cut open two vent holes to release the smoke and allow hose lines to reach the spreading flames.
Because of the severity of the fire, Grandazza called for mutual aid from neighboring departments. The Oceanside Fire Department sent a ladder truck, South Hempstead sent its F.A.S.T crew (Firefighter Assist and Search Team) in case a firefighter was injured, and East Rockaway sent engine and ladder trucks to stand by at Rockville Centre headquarters in case of a second alarm.
The Nassau County Fire Marshal was called in for an investigation. Preliminary findings indicated that the fire started in the chimney, and then cracked mortar between the old bricks allowed sparks to leak into the beams. The owner reported that he had switched the heating system from oil to gas just two weeks ago, and had also had the chimney recently cleaned.
There was extensive damage in the house. The ceiling beams in the main room of the house were heavily charred, and there was smoke and water damage throughout. Firefighters were on the scene for nearly two hours.
