East Hawthorne Avenue [8-26-20]

On the night of Wednesday, August 26th, 2020 the Valley Stream Fire Department was called to an odor of smoke on the second floor of a residence on East Jamaica Avenue. As that run was going on the department was also called to an automatic [waterflow] alarm at Gershow Recycling on East Hawthorne Avenue [only a few blocks from the first alarm]. When units arrived on scene at the recycling plant they were met with sprinklers in operation and smoke showing inside of a large warehouse type building used to house scrap metal and other rubbish. A signal ten [working fire] was transmitted and mutual aid notified. Among the departments called for mutual aid was Elmont and Lynbrook. Firefighters stretched two hand lines and put at least one of those lines into operation. Valley Stream Engine 341 and Ladder 345 were the first one and one to arrive on scene. Standing by for Valley Stream during the operation was units from Lawrence-Cedarhurst, East Rockaway, and Hewlett. The cause of the fire, which was believed to be the source of the odor of smoke at the first alarm, is under investigation. All fire department units were under the command of Valley Stream Chief of Department Eugene O’Brien [3400].