Cops probe blast that leveled Elmont home

A vacant Elmont home was destroyed Tuesday morning by an explosion of unknown origin, police said. Homes on each side of the destroyed property also were damaged.

The damage to the house that exploded on Lincoln Avenue was so extensive that the house will have to be demolished, Nassau County police said. The owner was not home at the time, police said, and the 12 residents of the other homes were evacuated.

Three firefighters who responded to the blast were treated for injuries and released, police said. None of the occupants of the two other homes was injured.

American Red Cross spokesman Sam Kille said the agency is assisting at least seven people who were displaced by the explosion.

The explosion was on Lincoln Street, between Atherton and Estelle avenues. Nassau County police said it was reported in a 911 call about 1:35 a.m.

Other homes on the block were evacuated as a precaution, officials said.

Officials said Nassau County fire marshal's investigators and police arson-bomb squad detectives were at the scene.

Volunteers from Elmont, Franklin Square, Valley Stream, Malverne, Floral Park, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, Lawrence-Cedarhurst, New Hyde Park, Lakeview and the Tactical Rescue Team from North Bellmore responded, fire officials said.