An explosion and fire caused an estimated $1 million loss at the Phoenix Labs, located at 140 Lauman Lane in Hicksville. The building, located in the Bethpage Fire District, is the site of a vitamin manufacturing firm. The fire was reported shortly before 6 p.m. on March 11.

Upon arrival, the Bethpage Fire Department reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the first and second floors. Before the fire was brought under control, 15 area fire departments were called in to assist, including Hicksville and its Haz-Mat Team as well as the county's Haz-Mat unit. Haz-Mat personnel determined, after a brief period, that no hazardous materials were involved. One firefighter suffered minor injuries as more than 120 fought to contain the fire.

The origin of the explosion is being investigated by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office. Plant operators in the building at the time did not know what caused the explosion. Firefighters confined most of the damage to one section of the 300' x 150' building. Firefighters were on the scene for three hours.

Hicksville firefighters also provided assistance at recent fires in Westbury and Levittown earlier this month. On March 4, one ladder company responded to Broadway in New Cassel where a resident smoking in bed at a senior citizens complex sparked a blaze that resulted in her death and forced some 90 residents to be evacuated to a temporary shelter for almost a week. Automated fire sprinklers aided in confining the blaze.

On March 7, a Hicksville engine company responded to a standby at Levittown's headquarters as the Levittown Fire Department battled a two-level house fire on Bellmore Road. The cause of the fire was determined to be a faulty fireplace.