A Look Back at the 2004 Restaurant Fire

On a humid Sunday night in July of 2004, the received an automatic fire alarm on Hempstead Turnpike.

The initial alert was for Engine Companies 2 and 3 and Ladder Company 2 to respond to the alarm.

Upon the first unit’s arrival, the Safety Officer on duty, Ex-Captain Chris Kant Jr. of Engine 2 reported “smoke showing,” not something very often heard at automatic alarms. Chief Donald Reilly arrived on scene seconds later and called a Signal 10 for a working building fire.

The dispatcher transmitted a General Alarm for a Signal 10 and mutual aid was requested from North Bellmore for a fast truck and Levittown for an Engine to the scene. Hempstead Turnpike was shut down and command was set on in the eastbound lanes.

The fire, which began in one of the basements had spread rapidly to the first and second floors through the walls prior to the activation of the alarm. Luckily the business was closed for the night, which prevented any civilian casualties, but presented a lot of interior truck work.

Realizing the scale of the fire and the muggy weather conditions, Chief Reilly had a rehab station set up and additional mutual aid was requested. In total, seven truck companies, four engine companies, and three ambulances were called to assist at the scene and provide fire protection for the East Meadow Fire District.

Mutual aid was provided by Levittown for an engine and a truck, North Bellmore for an engine and a truck, Hicksville for a truck, Westbury for an engine, truck and ambulance, Uniondale for an engine and truck, North Merrick for a truck and an ambulance, and Wantagh for a truck. The fire was extinguished without any major injuries.