Community News

Valley Stream firefighters battle blazes caused by outlets

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The Valley Stream Fire Department fought two separate electrical fires in the last week at homes on Broadway and Webster Street.

The first occurred on Saturday at about 6:30 p.m., when an electrical outlet sparked a blaze in the basement of an unoccupied home on Broadway. First Assistant Chief Jason Croak said that the flames heated the home’s copper water pipes, which then burst and helped extinguish the blaze.

“It happens more than you think,” Croak said, adding that the fire was under control in about 30 minutes.

A larger fire broke out on Monday at about 8:30 p.m. at a 1 ½-story home on Webster Street. An electrical outlet malfunctioned in the rear bedroom of the house while a woman was watching TV and the fire spread quickly. The home was heavily damaged, and the woman was taken to Franklin Hospital for minor smoke inhalation.

Croak said that about 50 firefighters fought the blaze for 45 minutes, with assistance from neighboring fire companies in Elmont and Malverne. The Lynbrook Fire Department and Hewlett Fire Department were both on standby for the duration.

“It was a great job done by the fire department,” Croak said.