Malverne Fire Department chief saves person in Valley Stream deli fire

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Police reported the outbreak of a fire early Sunday morning at a corner deli on West Merrick Road in Valley Stream that left the shop completely gutted.
Officers reportedly received a call at around 6 a.m. on March 3 of a fire at Crown Deli on the corner of West Merrick Road and Dale Place. Upon arrival, firefighters and officers said they heard a 33-year-old man calling for help from inside the building and proceeded to force their way into the deli’s kitchen area to rescue him. Police report that he was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for smoke inhalation, and is currently in stable condition.
Second Deputy Chief Ernest Bohringer, of the Malverne Fire Department, was on his way home from his shift at Port Authority when he heard the dispatch from the Valley Stream Fire Department. Bohringer, along with Nassau County police officers, forced open a locked door in the back of the building where they found a person inside. The person was pulled to safety and transported to the hospital.
“We would like to recognize [Chief] Bohringer and all who were at the scene,” the Malverne Fire Department said, in a Facebook post. “[Chief] Bohringer truly exemplified what it means to give of one’s self and to be a Malverne volunteer firefighter. We are thankful to have him and proud to call him our own.”
Six other officers were treated for smoke inhalation at an area hospital, and have since been released. In addition to the Valley Stream Fire Department, firefighters from the Malverne, Lynbrook and Woodmere fire departments assisted in extinguishing the blaze.

Arson, Fifth Precinct detective and investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal were reportedly on scene. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.

Peter Belfiore contributed to this story.