Two families displaced after house fire

On March 30, a subdivided home occupied by two families on Elizabeth Street was ablaze, none of the occupants were injured, however, a ten-year-old was evaluated after complaining of breathing complications.

The damage to the house was extensive and the home was left untenantable, with the contents destroyed. Officials report that “the occupants were left with little to salvage” after the fire.

First on the scene was Engine 202 which transmitted to other units that smoke was billowing out of the home. Quickly signaling out a working fire transmission that beckoned more Baldwin Units to the scene. Soon to arrive were an additional three engines and a tower ladder, used for vertical access to the home.

The occupants of the house were able to escape without assistance from the fire department. The First Aid Company on scene assisted the ten-year-old occupant and two firefighters whose injuries were described by officers as minor.

Additional units from surrounding towns were requested by the command post to assist at the scene and backfill Baldwin’s four firehouses during operations, maintaining all usual procedures under the circumstances.

Reports say that the stubborn blaze was brought under control quickly after a particularly aggressive attack by Baldwin firefighters. However, the fight lasted for 90 minutes before all was declared safe and all additional hot spots were extinguished.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office was called in to investigate the blaze that was not considered suspicious according to fire officials. Baldwin Fire Department was assisted by Freeport, Oceanside, South Hempstead, Long Beach, Merrick and Point Lookout Fire Departments. As well as the Nassau County Police, Key span and the Town of Hempstead building department.

All operations were under the command of Captain Brandon Ginsberg, Baldwin Fire Department.