The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department (SFD) responded to a fast moving fire in the Hidden Ridge condominium complex on Thursday evening, April 14. The initial report came in through 911, with a frantic caller advising of a serious fire at unit 204 on Fen Way in the gated complex just north of Jericho Turnpike. The SFD transmitted the initial alarm at 7:48 p.m. With smoke visible from the distance, an immediate request for mutual aid was made for units from the Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Jericho and Hicksville Fire Departments.

Assistant Chief John Capobianco arrived on scene within two minutes and immediately advised of smoke emanating from the structure. After a quick assessment of the situation, Capobianco advised Syosset Fire Dispatch to transmit a Signal 10 - the code for working structure fire. Syosset Engine 5812 and Tower Ladder 582 arrived on scene shortly behind Chief Capobianco and initiated an aggressive attack on the fire in an attempt to confine it to unit 204 and minimize extension to adjacent units. Syosset Engines 584 and 589, Ladder 5816 and Heavy Rescue 588 also responded along with ambulances 5891, 5893 and several other support units.

Unfortunately, the structure's wood-frame construction and the presence of an open, common attic space above several consecutive units allowed the fire to advance quickly. The focus then moved to limiting the spread of the fire to as few additional units as possible. Capobianco directed firefighters to open up the walls and ceilings in the adjacent units to ascertain how far the fire had spread along the row of condominiums. Additional firefighters placed hose lines in these units to knockdown hot spots and prevent the fire from extending laterally. Thanks to these very labor-intensive efforts, the fire was brought under control at 9:51 p.m.

A total of 66 Syosset firefighters responded to this very challenging blaze. They were joined by 50 additional firefighters who responded on eight mutual aid units from the Hicksville, Jericho, East Norwich, Plainview, Westbury, Oyster Bay and Melville fire departments.

The fire destroyed three condominium units and resulted in damage to three others. While not deemed suspicious, the fire remains under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office. Preliminary reports indicate an unattended candle, which was in proximity of a couch, triggered the fire. Thankfully, there were no civilian injuries and only minor injuries to firefighters at the scene.