Hicksville firefighters battled a raging fire in a two-story apartment house on West Cherry Street on Thursday, Dec. 23. The fire, which fire investigators state was arson, destroyed the structure. The alarm was reported via 911 at 9:14 p.m.

Assistant Chief Robert Chiz, who was first on the scene along with several police officers, encountered a fully involved structure with fire out every opening on both floors. Neighbors were screaming, glass was breaking and power lines were starting to burn as the first engines arrived.

A neighbor, Armondo Umana, was credited with saving the lone occupant. Upon seeing the fire, Umana instructed his family to call 911 and ran to the house to see who he could help. He ran around back and saw his neighbor inside fall to the floor as he was trying to get out. Umana then ran into the burning home and dragged the victim outside where he was met by police officers who brought them out to the street for treatment. The victim was treated at the scene and rushed to Nassau University Medical Center for treatment of burns to his respiratory system.

Fire officials credited Umana's quick actions in saving his neighbor's life. There were no other occupants home at the time; half of the building was vacant at the time of the fire.

Eighty-five Hicksville firefighters under command of Assistant Chief Chiz, assisted by Assistant Chiefs Bobby Lang and Edward Korona, battled the blaze for three hours, utilizing five fire hydrants, before getting it under control. Hicksville used all five of its engine companies as well as a ladder company and was assisted at the scene by additional ladder companies from Syosset and Westbury and medical units from Plainview, Jericho and Nassau County Police. Bethpage and Plainview also sent engine companies to assist. One firefighter suffered a torn muscle in his shoulder and was transported to the hospital for treatment. There were several other close calls from a flashover, but firefighters were able to escape. Their protective gear was seriously damaged by the heat, but effectively protected them from injury.

LIPA, fearing damage to primary wires shut down electric to the downtown area for over an hour. Keyspan service was on scene quickly and shut off the gas supply to the structure. Firefighters were on scene until 3 a.m. mopping up and putting out small pockets of fire. Town of Oyster Bay Building Department officials were on scene and after an inspection, deemed the structure unsafe. On Dec. 24, after fire investigators completed their on-scene investigation, the structure was torn down. Nassau County Fire Marshal Investigator James Hickman and County Police Arson & Bomb Squad Detective Brian Kaminski are investigating and request anyone with information to call the Arson Hotline at 742-3219. All calls will remain anonymous.