3 firefighters injured while battling flames of condominium fire on Long Island
JERICHO, New York (WABC) -- Three firefighters were injured while battling flames from a condominium fire on Long Island.
Video shows heavy flames as the fire broke out on Vista Drive at the Hamlet Condominiums in Jericho around 10:20 p.m. on Christmas Day.
The townhouse where the fire was completely destroyed.
"I did speak with the occupants of the origin building, they were celebrating with their family for the Christmas holiday, so it's a particularly difficult time," said Jericho Fire Department Chief Christopher Foresto.
Foresto says the fire started in the back of the townhouse where a fireplace was being used. The chief says the family told him they were winding down their holiday celebration.
"There's never a good time for a fire but people congregating with their families, trying to enjoy a nice day after something like this to happen is obviously devastating," Foresto said.
The first floor of the condo collapsed and caused crews to have to swiftly evacuate.
Officials say one firefighter was taken to an area hospital after suffering an ankle injury. Another firefighter was also hospitalized after having difficulty breathing.
A third firefighter was treated at the scene.
NewsCopter 7 was over the scene as firefighters returned after debris left from the fire rekindled on Thursday morning.
Three buildings in total were damaged as a result of the fire, police say. The Red Cross says it is assisting seven residents impacted by the fire.
The blaze hit close to home for neighbor Marvin Corman.
"My partner, I'm a surgeon, had a Christmas tree fire and they lost everything and they lived with us a couple of months," he said.
Some neighbors are concerned about the their homes' structure.
"These houses are all made out of wood and if that fire got out of control, everything would burn in this community," one neighbor said.
"At least everybody was able to get out. That's most important and so it is a good Christmas after all in that sense that everybody's OK," said witness Michael Gordon.
Both the Nassau County Fire Marshal and Arson Bomb Squad responded to the fire.
The chief says the fire is not considered suspicious, but the cause remains under investigation.
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