Meriam Street [11-3-14]

At 19:33 hours the Hempstead Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire at 20 Meriam Street off of Clinton Street. When the first units arrived on scene they were met with smoke showing from a vacant home. After a further size up inside the home at least two separate fires were found within and at this time the working fire was transmitted. Hempstead Engine One was the first engine company to arrive on scene and went on to stretch two lines with at least one going into operation. Hempstead Ladder 2 was the first truck company to arrive on scene and West Hempstead Ladder 765 was present as the FAST. The scene was placed under control within twenty minutes and the fire marshal was requested to investigate. Standing by for Hempstead during the operation were units from Baldwin, Uniondale, and South Hempstead. All fire department units were under the command of Hempstead Chief of Department Sean Simmons [80].