Syosset Fire Department Responds to Fierce Fire on Harriet Drive

Syosset firefighters prepare to mount an aggressive interior attack on the fire.

In the late afternoon hours of Wednesday, September 21, the Syosset Volunteer Fire Department (SFD) responded to a very intense fire in a one story ranch home on Harriet Drive. The fire was reported to 911 at 4:11 P.M., with the first SFD units arriving in a matter of minutes. Approximately 50 firefighters from the SFD and surrounding fire departments battled the blaze, which was declared under control at 5:25 P.M. Mutual aid units from the Plainview, Jericho, Hicksville and Oyster Bay Fire Departments responded to assist Syosset firefighters at the scene while the East Norwich Fire Department provided coverage for additional alarms at Syosset Fire Headquarters.

Two residents were in the home when the fire broke out but were able to evacuate themselves prior to the arrival of the fire department. A total of four Syosset firefighters sustained minor injuries, with three being taken to Syosset Hospital, where they were all treated and released.

Fire vents through the roof above the garage and into adjacent trees. Quick action by Syosset firefighters stopped the fire spread and minimized potential damage to an adjacent home. Photos by Ilene Morris

"This was a particularly hot and intense fire for a private dwelling, forcing our firefighters and the mutual aid units to work very hard to extinguish it", said Chief of Department Christian Pieper, the SFD Incident Commander.

At one point, the fire broke through the roof above the garage, where it began impinging surrounding tress and heading for a house next door. Thankfully, due to the quick actions of the Syosset firefighters, the damage to the adjoining home was kept relatively minor.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation by the Nassau County Fire Marshal's office.

The Syosset Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1915 and is composed of over 100 men and women from Syosset and surrounding areas. The Department serves an approximately 17 square mile district, with the largest response area in Nassau County. In 2004, the SFD responded to a total of 1,996 alarms. The District's fleet has 11 pieces of fire fighting and emergency medical apparatus and four chief's cars.

For information about becoming a member of the Syosset Fire Department, contact the office the Chief's Office at 921-0728, ext 4502. For fire safety information, contact the Fire Prevention Office at 921-6597. Also, visit them on the web at syossetfd.org.