On Friday, February 13, 2015 at 5:02PM, Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Companies 1, 2, 3 and the Ambulance Unit were dispatched to the intersection of Bourndale Road North and Chester Drive for a reported house fire in that vicinity. Chief of Department Farrone (8705), Deputy Chief Kiess (8701) and Ambulance 8767 were the first units to respond and were advised of a direct call from a resident stating that they see a house on fire in that area. Seconds later, the dispatcher advised the units that multiple calls were being received through Firecom all reporting a house fire at 32 Brookwald Drive. With this information, Chief Farrone requested the Port Washington Fire Department be requested for a F.A.S.T. (Firefighter Assist & Search Team).

Ambulance 8767 was the first unit to arrive on scene and reported “smoke showing” and confirmed that all occupants were out of the house. Deputy Chief Kiess (8701) arrived on the scene two minutes later and transmitted a “Signal 10” for a working fire in a 2 ½-story private dwelling. Deputy Chief Kiess reported that he had smoke pushing from all sides of the structure and visible fire in the rear.