Uniondale, NY - Firefighters from over 10 area departments were called upon to battle fire in a large commercial building on July 4th afternoon.
Tuesday July 4th was a hazy, hot summer day until approximately 5:00PM when a line of severe thunderstorms rolled through Nassau County, NY. Apparently a lighting strike from this storm sparked a building fire in Uniondale, NY, a suburb of Long Island 15 miles outside of New York City.
Uniondale firefighters arrived at 439 Oak Street to find fire and smoke showing through the roof of a 500x100 one and two story factory used for metal product manufacturing. Shortly after firefighters arrived, a propane tank blew, collapsing exterior walls and the roof. Due to rapidly deteriorating conditions extensive mutual aid was requested. Firefighters and units from 10 area departments responded to the fire scene.
Several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. The fire, which had units operating for over 8 hours is still being investigated by the Nassau County fire Marshal, but early findings indicate a lighting strike as the cause.
