By Leslie Gonzalez
Before firefighters arrived, the fire had spread from the garage to two cars parked directly in front.
"The fire was so hot, the cars simply ignited." said Ralph Luisi, East Rockaway Fire Department representative. One vehicle, a 1995 Ford Escort, belonged to Mr. Kubica. A 1998 Chevy Lumina sedan was registered to Shelly Conn, whom officials described as Mr. Kubica's girlfriend.
"The motorcycle, the garage and all of its contents were completely destroyed," said Mr. Luisi. "and the two cars were left totaled."
Although the fire came dangerously close to a neighboring home - melting its siding - firefighters were able to contain the blaze.
Reporting to the scene were roughly 80 firefighters, three fire engines and one ladder vehicle from the East Rockaway Fire Department. Under the command of First Assistant Chief James Carrigan and deputies Dan Pignataro and Elvie Hickam, several hoses were run from nearby fire hydrants to combat the blaze.
Volunteers concentrated on keeping the fire from spreading to the two-story, wood framed house only a few feet away. But as the intense heat began to melt the siding in the back of the house, firefighters changed their goal to protecting the building's exposures.
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to an hour to extinguish the fire, and there were no reported injuries. Although the fire was successfully contained to the garage and its surrounding area, smoke damage was sustained to the interior of the house.
A rescue vehicle, ambulance and a floodlight apparatus to illuminate the scene were also standing by.
"Investigators determined that the fire originated in the garage-and believe its cause to be gasoline leaked from the motorcycle's fuel tank-due to the sudden, aggressive nature and speed of the fire," said Mr. Luisi.
