Rockville Centre auto shop catches fire

A fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon at K&K Auto and Tire Center on N. Long Beach Road in Rockville Centre, according to eyewitnesses, who say they saw the smoke billowing from the auto shop over the local business district. 

UPDATED FEB. 8, 2024

The Rockville Centre Fire Department was notified of the fire around 1 p.m. and responded to the scene in just under five minutes.  

Scott Mohr, chief of the department, said the auto body was fully involved upon arrival and a second alarm was sent out for a heavy fire.

Fire departments in the surrounding area including Oceanside, Malverne and Lynbrook also responded to help combat the blaze, while East Rockaway and Baldwin were kept on standby to assist in the event of any additional alarms in the village. About 100 to 120 fire personnel were involved in the effort to extinguish the flames. 

Mohr said that the fire was knocked down around 1:30 p.m.  "All units remained on the scene for Nassau County Hazmat and Fire Marshals to arrive," he said. 

The fire is believed to have started after a truck was brought in for service. Nassau County Fire Marshals are currently investigating into the cause. 

Thanks to the swift response from firefighters, along with assistance from Rockville Centre police, public works, electric and building department employees, the fire was kept under control with no reports of injuries.  Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to the building, without spreading to any of the neighboring businesses or adjacent homes.