COMMUNITY NEWS

Four North Bellmore firefighters hurt in crash, East Meadow blaze

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Four North Bellmore Fire Department volunteers were injured while responding to an East Meadow house fire on July 13, officials said. One assistant chief and a firefighter were severely hurt in a crash on the way to the blaze, while two volunteers were injured battling the fire. None of the volunteers were identified.

The North Bellmore department received the call for a basement fire on Diamond Avenue in East Meadow – which is part of the North Bellmore Fire District – at 1:38 p.m. on July 13. Moments later, two vehicles driven by a department assistant chief, 34, and a firefighter, 27, collided at Newbridge Road and Belmond Avenue as the volunteers hurried to the home, Nassau County Police said.

The firefighter was ejected from his car, according to police. He suffered head and neck injuries and was rushed to Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, where he was listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit at press time. The assistant chief was treated for back and knee injuries and released.

  A North Bellmore department release read, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the responders and their families affected by this tragic accident.”

Police are investigating the crash. Both cars were impounded for brake and safety inspections.

While extinguishing the Diamond Avenue blaze, one firefighter sustained minor burns, while another suffered from smoke inhalation. Both volunteers were transported to NUMC, where they were treated for their injuries and released. No other injuries were reported.