How the Lynbrook Fire Department fought the Denton Avenue food truck fire

A leaking propane tank in the back of a food truck parked by a warehouse at 150 Denton Ave.; near the Long Island Rail Road property in Lynbrook could be the cause of a fire that the Lynbrook Fire Department responded to near 9 p.m. on Aug. 23.

Officials said that the Vulcan Company, whose firehouse is down the street from the fire scene, was the first to respond. Under the command of First Assistant Chief Clayton Murphy, the firefighters found the found the food truck up a long driveway behind the warehouse. Second Assistant Chief James D’Giambattista was also directing the volunteer firefighters.

As the firefighters aimed to distinguish the blaze, it is believed a second propane tank on the opposite side of the food truck ignited the vehicle’s gas tank, which spread burning gasoline into the parking lot.

That forced the firefighters to retreat to a safer distance, while keeping the hoses on the flames that at least once went 20-feet high.

A third hose was also stretched as a back-up from Vulcan Company, whose members were aided by truck and engine company members as the department’s emergency medical company and a Northwell ambulance stood ready.

Firefighters were on the scene for roughly two hours. No injuries were reported.

Murphy praised the responders, “For their efforts in what was a very dangerous situation and which could have been much worse.”

The Nassau County Fire Marshal was also the scene and took the two propane tanks after the blaze was extinguished, as the investigation get under way.

The cause of the fire is yet to be officially determined, officials said.

Information submitted by Steve Grogan