Firefighters Battle House FireIn Frigid Temps

GC Volunteer Firefighter fights blaze

At 1:58 A.M. on Saturday, February 24th, Garden City firefighters were summoned to a house fire at 8 Middleton Road at the corner of Vassar Street. Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters encountered a heavy smoke condition emanating from the home. Volunteer Fire Chief John P. Casey, along with his Assistant Chiefs, Jim Meehan, and Charles Cavarra, arrived at the blaze soon after the alarm sounded and assumed command. While operating at the scene in windy, frigid temperatures, Garden City firefighters encountered fire on the first floor of the home. The fire was so intense; it vented out the windows and ignited the sides of the home as well, and extended partially into the second floor and roof space. 40 Garden City Firefighters, including 35 Garden City Volunteer firefighters, 5 headquarters company firefighters as well as additional mutual aid assistance from neighboring volunteer fire departments, including Franklin Square and Stewart Manor, fought the blaze.

Garden City firefighters formulated an aggressive interior attack to fight the blaze. Utilizing multiple handlines and fire crews, firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 1 hour. The resident of the home was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the blaze and one volunteer firefighter was treated for exhaustion at the scene. The blaze is under routine investigation. According to Fire Chief John Casey, "we had heavy smoke on our arrival, as well as fire on the exterior portions of the home" He continued, "faced with heavy smoke, fire and hazardous oxygen tanks in the home, our firefighters did an excellent job battling this blaze in below freezing temperatures."

GC Volunteer Firefighter Larry Quinn positions ground ladder

Commanding Officer & Fire Chief John P. Casey at Command Post Firefighters battle fire on second floor of home Volunteer Firefighter assesses fire overhaul