Long Island strip mall burns in early morning fire

HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (WABC) -- A fire burned through several stores in a strip mall in Huntington Station early Wednesday.

The fire started at about 3:30 a.m. at 212 West Jericho Turnpike.

Dozens of firefighters, who were called in to help from surrounding towns, had a difficult time battling the fire amid the cold and ice. It took more than two hours to bring it under control.

The fire destroyed at least six stores.

No one was in the businesses at the time, and there were no reported injuries.

Fire marshals are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is believed to have started in a comic bookstore, Collector's Kingdom, and then spread.

Investigators say the comic books gave the fire just exactly the fuel it needed.

"It's really bad actually. He's been here a long time, a really long time," said Huntington Station resident Cindy Joyce.

"We've lived here for 50 years. It's hard to see small businesses in this economy go like this," said Huntington Station resident Deneise Robinson.

The owners of the destroyed businesses were in shock. "I start crying because you know, the business make money for my children to eat. Now I don't have nothing," said Ana Guevara, who owns a deli and has four children.

At daylight the cleanup process began.

James Kim's mother owns a nail salon which also sustained some pretty heavy water and smoke damage.

"I grew up here you know. They've had this since I was 9 years old. It's kind sad seeing everything falling apart. But hopefully we can get back up on our feet," said Kim.