Vigilant Fire Company Responds to Early Morning House Fire

On Sunday June 25, at 4:04 a.m., the Vigilant Fire Company was alerted to a house filling with smoke on 46 North Clover Drive in Great Neck Estates. While en route, the Vigilant dispatcher updated Chief Joshua Forst that the Great Neck Estates Police Department (GNEPD) was reporting a working fire. Upon arrival, the GNEPD reported that all occupants had exited the house; Chief Forst entered the building, finding a fire in the walls of the attic which was beginning to extend to the adjoining family room.

While the Vigilant Engine was en route, Chief Forst used a fire extinguisher to keep the fire from expanding. Upon the engine's arrival, Captain Laurence Jacobs led his crew to further extinguish the fire. Due to the fire being in the walls, mutual aid was called to the scene from the Alert Fire Company and Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department for firefighting units, and the Port Washington Fire Department was called for its rehabilitation unit. During Vigilant’s response efforts, an Engine from the Plandome Fire Department and an ambulance from Manhasset stood by to handle any additional calls in Great Neck.

The fire could have grown worse if it wasn’t for the homeowner, who was out of state, answering a call from their alarm company stating the temperature in the house had dropped—prompting them to ask their son, who was home, to investigate. Finding smoke, he called 911 for help.

"Our members and those from our neighboring departments prove time and again that when the residents need them, they are willing and able to step up,” said Chief Forst. “There was a tremendous amount of overhaul necessary to open the walls of the attic to make sure we found all active fires. Members worked diligently to save as much of the house as possible.”

Units were back in service before 6:30 a.m.