M-LFD Extinguishes Working Fire In Abandoned Catering Hall

 On January 23^rd, 2015 at 9:14am, Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Companies 3 and 4 were dispatched to 380 Northern Boulevard for reported smoke from the building.  Deputy Chief Candan (8704) was the first unit to respond and was advised by the dispatcher that additional calls were being received all reporting smoke from the building and that they were upgrading the alarm assignment to a structure fire.  Two minutes later, Deputy Chief Candan arrived on the scene reporting smoke showing and transmitted a “Signal 10” for working building fire in a 100'x50' two-story abandoned catering hall.

Engine 8725 was the first piece of apparatus to arrive on the scene and stretched a 2 ½” hose line to the front of the building, which had been vacant since 2003.  While additional units were arriving on the scene, Deputy Chief Candan received several reports from civilians that a squatter resided within the building.  Units were able to safely perform searches throughout the building, which were all negative.  During the search units were able to locate the seat of the fire, which was on the second floor rear of the building.  Two 2 ½” hose lines were used to knock down the fire, which was brought under control within forty five minutes.

Due to the size of the building and unknown volume of fire, Deputy Chief Candan requested two additional tower ladders to the scene on the transmission of the working fire; one from the Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company (TL8324) and one from the New Hyde Park Fire Department (TL175).  Both units were put to work immediately upon their arrival and the Great Neck Alert Fire Company responded to the scene as the F.A.S.T. (Firefighter Assist & Search Team) with Ladder 826.  Several neighboring departments provided stand-by coverage during the incident.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating the cause of the fire and all units were released from the scene by Chief of Department Farrone (8705) within two hours.