Baldwin firefighter treated for cardiac issue after battling blaze

Dozens of Hempstead residents lost their homes to a five-alarm fire that raged last Sunday at 590 Fulton Ave., causing extensive damage and forcing the entire building to be evacuated. Twenty-nine people and one Hempstead Village police officer were taken to local hospitals and were treated for smoke inhalation. A Baldwin firefighter, whose identity has not been made public, was treated for cardiac issues.

According to arson and bomb squad detectives with the Nassau County Police Department, a 911 call came in at 6:46 p.m., reporting the fire. Thirteen fire departments responded with 300 firefighters and 40 pieces of apparatus to help extinguish the fire and rescue residents. Other fire departments sent ambulances and emergency technicians. According to Hempstead Fire Chief Scott Clark, five of the 120 units of the seven-story building were ablaze.

The fire, which detectives said appeared to originate from a kitchen oven located in a second floor apartment, caused extensive damage to that apartment and, as the flames grew, travelled to the apartments above, causing a smoky condition throughout the building.

Among the fire departments that responded were Cedarhurst, Baldwin, Franklin Square, Lakeview, Elmont, North Bellmore, Rockville Centre, East Meadow, North Merrick, West Hempstead, Lawrence, East Rockaway, Oceanside, Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Merrick and Bellmore.

Sixty-eight building occupants were evacuated and were assisted by the Red Cross, who transported them by bus to Hempstead High School, which served as a temporary shelter.

The fire is still being investigated.