Hewlett gas station fire damages service garage

An early evening fire severely damaged the three-bay auto service garage of the BP gasoline station located at the intersection of Crescent Street and Broadway in Hewlett on July 3.

According to Hewlett Bay Fire Department ex-chief Joe Ruvolo the fire began in one of the bays and spread to another car. “It appears the fire started in one of the cars that was brought in for service and spread to an adjacent car,” Ruvolo said at about 8:30 p.m., approximately two hours after the blaze began.

The fire was contained to the garage, Ruvolo said, and there was no damage to the gas pumps, but heat from the fire did “impinge” on the pumps, he said.

Only one of the 100 firefighters from four departments was injured. He suffered a back injury while fighting the blaze. Ruvolo said that firefighter was okay.

In addition to Hewlett, Woodmere, Lawrence-Cedarhurst and Valley Stream fire departments responded to the scene. The Lynbrook Fire Department was on standby for the Hewlett Fire District.

Town of Hempstead building officials inspected the building to determine the extent of the damage. A representative for the owner of the gas station said that Thursday would be the earliest to know how much must be done to reopen the station.

Broadway was closed to traffic from Franklin Avenue to the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library for more than three hours.