On Saturday, Feb. 21 at approximately 3:28 p.m., the Hicksville Fire Department received a call for a reported house fire on Scooter Lane. When the first unit arrived on scene they observed heavy smoke and fire conditions on both the first and second floors with all occupants safely out of the home.

In addition to heavy smoke and fire, firefighters encountered numerous items obstructing normal movement throughout the home. Firefighters' efforts to control the fire were also hampered by several other factors, including gasoline found in the first floor bedroom; ammunition - which was stored in the second floor apartment and had ignited in the fire; a down, energized power line at the rear of the home; and the fact that the home was divided into two apartments with locked doors.

The fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes. The home suffered extensive damage and Hicksville fire officials reported that the fire gained considerable headway due to a delay in it being reported. Two firefighters suffered injuries. One firefighter suffered cuts from broken glass and the other suffered an ankle injury. The female owner of the home suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation and was transported to a local hospital.

According to fire officials, the blaze started in the back bedroom and extended to the second floor. The cause of the fire was still undetermined as of press time and is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal, but is not considered suspicious.

Hicksville Fire Chief Steve Douchette was in charge of operations. Ten units from Hicksville responded and the department received mutual aid from Levittown, Bethpage and Nassau County Police who assisted with an ambulance at the scene. Units from Plainview, Jericho, Westbury and East Meadow stood by at fire headquarters to provide coverage for additional alarms.