Main Street [3-14-13]
At approximately 13:20 hours on the afternoon of March 14th the Port Washington Fire Department was dispatched to a reported building fire at 55 Main Street, just off of Herbert Avenue. The first units on scene with met with a fire condition around a window on the building. Shortly after arriving on scene Chief Cole [8500] transmitted the signal ten [working fire] for the three story building located at the corner of Main Street and Herbert Avenue. As the fire began to evolve with the help of high wind gusts and the century old construction two additional ladders were requested to the scene. These ladders consisted of Great Neck Vigilant Ladder to the front of the building and a ladder from Manhasset-Lakeville to the rear.
Within thirty minutes of operations, the attack became exterior based as the fire load grew too heavy across the cockloft. As conditions on the fire scene deteriorated the request for mutual aid companies to the scene and to backfill empty houses grew. Among the towns requested to relieve units was Manhasset-Lakeville, Williston Park, Roslyn, Roslyn Highlands, Glenwood, Glen Cove, Westbury, Garden City Park, and New Hyde Park among others. For hours firefighters fought to bring the blaze under control but were hampered by weather conditions and as mentioned the century old construction of the building which included a slate roof. Approximately six hours into the operation a signal twelve [under control] was transmitted by Port Washington command. As night fell mutual aid companies began being released both from the scene and various firehouses. It was initially stated that the cause of the fire was due to workers on the roof of the building, but the investigation continues. All occupants of the apartments and businesses made it out safely along with those on the roof. No injuries were reported; however, a few were evaluated on scene by medical personnel. The Red Cross, Town of North Hempstead Buildings Department, and Fire Marshals were all on scene. All fire department units were under the command of Port Washington Chief of Department Geoffrey Cole.
Read MoreWithin thirty minutes of operations, the attack became exterior based as the fire load grew too heavy across the cockloft. As conditions on the fire scene deteriorated the request for mutual aid companies to the scene and to backfill empty houses grew. Among the towns requested to relieve units was Manhasset-Lakeville, Williston Park, Roslyn, Roslyn Highlands, Glenwood, Glen Cove, Westbury, Garden City Park, and New Hyde Park among others. For hours firefighters fought to bring the blaze under control but were hampered by weather conditions and as mentioned the century old construction of the building which included a slate roof. Approximately six hours into the operation a signal twelve [under control] was transmitted by Port Washington command. As night fell mutual aid companies began being released both from the scene and various firehouses. It was initially stated that the cause of the fire was due to workers on the roof of the building, but the investigation continues. All occupants of the apartments and businesses made it out safely along with those on the roof. No injuries were reported; however, a few were evaluated on scene by medical personnel. The Red Cross, Town of North Hempstead Buildings Department, and Fire Marshals were all on scene. All fire department units were under the command of Port Washington Chief of Department Geoffrey Cole.
