Central Avenue [11-22-19]

On the morning of Friday, November 22nd, 2019 the Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department was dispatched to a building fire on Central Avenue off Maple Avenue. As fire department units were on the way they were advised by dispatch that it sounded like they were going to work. When firefighters arrived on scene, they were met with smoke showing from a one-story taxpayer [row of stores] leading to the transmission of a signal ten [working fire]. After investigating fire was found in the basement of multiple stores. The operation went on to reach a fourth alarm bringing various mutual aid units to the scene, to standby for Lawrence-Cedarhurst, and in some instances to standby for some units operating in Lawrence-Cedarhurst. Several hand lines were stretched and put into operation; however, firefighters’ efforts were hindered by heavy fire and a large amount of content and storage in the basement. The cause of the fire is under investigation and all fire department units were under the command of Lawrence-Cedarhurst Chief of Department McHugh [3200].