Red Cross to help Hewlett fire victims

A Hewlett fire that left nearly three dozen residents homeless on Tuesday was deemed to be accidental, according to the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office.

Before noon, the building that houses a strip of businesses on the first floor and apartments upstairs between 1435 and 1441 Broadway by the corner of Princeton Avenue was ablaze and a substantial amount of smoke could be seen pouring out of the two-story structure.

The building was evacuated and firefighters from several departments went in through windows and were on the roof to battle the blaze. The fire was brought under control at 1 p.m., officials said.

There were no injuries. The residents left homeless were being assisted by the Red Cross, said spokesman Sam Kille, who added that emergency shelter was being sought for those who needed it.

Hewlet Fire Chief Ethan Lahey said the fire originated in the kitchen of a second-floor apartment in the back of the building. The blaze caused approximately $500,000 in damage to the building, he added.

The Hewlett, Woodmere, Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Meadowmere and Valley Stream fire departments responded to the fire, along with Nassau County police.