Seven injured in West Merrick Road deli fire

Police reported the outbreak of a fire early Sunday morning at a corner deli on West Merrick Road that left the shop completely gutted.

Officers reportedly received a call at around 6 a.m. on March 3 of a fire at Crown Deli on the corner of West Merrick Road and Dale Place. Upon arrival, firefighters and officers said they heard a 33-year-old man calling for help from inside the building and proceeded to force their way into the deli’s kitchen area to rescue him. Police report that he was transported to Nassau University Medical Center for smoke inhalation, and is currently in stable condition.

Additionally, six other officers were treated for smoke inhalation at an area hospital, and have since been released. In addition to the Valley Stream Fire Department, firefighters from the Malverne, Lynbrook and Woodmere fire departments assisted in extinguishing the blaze.

Arson, Fifth Precinct detective and investigators from the Nassau County Fire Marshal were reportedly on scene. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.