The Hicksville Fire Department, with help from Jericho, Levittown and Westbury, responded to a fire that broke out at 319 Jerusalem Avenue in Hicksville at about 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. The Bethpage and Plainview Fire Departments were standing by at Hicksville headquarters.

The one-story building, which housed the Food Express Deli and the Evangelica Foundation of Life Church, was completely destroyed. No injuries were reported, however, and the five-person family living in the basement of the building got out unharmed, according to Supervisor Owen Magee, Hicksville Fire Department.

Bringing 13 pieces of equipment to the scene, approximately 100 firefighters fought the blaze until 7 a.m. under the supervision of Chief Patrick McGeough.

The blaze crept up into the decorative overhang after blowing out the building's windows. It then traveled south and attacked the back of the building which housed the church. Magee notes the wall between the food store and church was not an approved fire wall.

Although officials are looking at electrical causes, the Fire Marshal's office is still investigating the blaze, which is not considered suspicious, Magee said.

"This place was previously written up for some violations. I had been there for an inspection about a month and a half ago and I didn't like what I saw," Magee said. "I don't have code enforcement authority so I asked the Fire Marshal to come in and they found some various items."

According to Magee, the building was divided several years back. The Food Express Deli remained at the north section while a church was put in the back.

"We just realized the church was there during our inspection because we saw all the chairs and various religious items," Magee said. "They kept this place quiet for whatever reason."

Magee also notes a fire destroyed the building about 25 years ago when it was a restaurant called The Hedges. It had been vacant for sometime and became an eyesore until an auto parts store took it over. The Food Express Deli has been there for the last several years.