Sunday, January 12, 2025
In the early morning hours of Thursday, Dec. 5, a blinding snow squall swept through Freeport, largely unnoticed by most residents.
At 12:51 a.m., Freeport firefighters were called to a building fire at 127 Broadway.
Braving the elements, the firefighters left their warm beds and responded swiftly.
Within two minutes, Freeport Engine 216 arrived at the scene, reporting a working fire in a two-story building with stores on the first floor and occupied apartments above.
After verifying that all occupants had safely evacuated, firefighters launched an aggressive battle against the flames.
The fire was knocked down within minutes, and crews worked to open the roof, walls, and ceilings to ensure the fire had not spread further.
"Multiple hose lines were utilized and the fire was extinguished,” Freeport Fire Department posted on its Facebook.
Assistance came from neighboring fire departments through mutual aid, both at the scene and to cover additional calls within the village.
The Freeport Police Department, Freeport Building Department, Nassau County Fire Marshal, and Nassau County Arson Squad investigated the incident, determining that the fire was caused by a space heater plugged into an extension cord.
Although the snow didn’t stick, icy conditions posed challenges. Freeport’s Department of Public Works provided a sander, and Freeport Electric shut off power to the building as a safety precaution.
The fire displaced 22 people, who received assistance from the American Red Cross.
Freeport Fire Department operated under the command of Chief Albeiro Gonzalez.
Executive Director Ray Maguire emphasized safety precautions for the winter months
“As we enter the winter season, we remind our residents to be careful using space heaters," he said. "Never plug them into an extension cord and always keep them at least 3’ away from any combustibles.”
He also stressed the importance of having working smoke detectors in homes and businesses.
"I commend the efforts of our brave volunteers," said Mayor Robert Kennedy, "in fighting this major fire facing freezing temperatures in the middle of the night.”
