Occupants escape Hempstead house fire, officials say
Firefighters battle a blaze Wednesday night, Aug. 31, 2016, on Amherst Street in Hempstead. All occupants managed to safely evacuate, officials said on the department's social media website. Credit: Lou Minutoli
Hempstead firefighters, responding to a house fire Wednesday night where children were reported trapped, mounted “aggressive searches” of the home and discovered all occupants had managed to safely evacuate, officials said on the department’s Facebook page.
Three children and two adults escaped as the fire burned their Amherst Street home, near Brierley Park, about 11:30 p.m., according to the Hempstead Fire Department.
Firefighters from Hempstead Harper Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 responded to the scene, later reporting on Facebook: “Members made aggressive searches, but the children were out prior to HFD arrival.”
A short video of the scene showed flames leaping out of a second-floor window, as firefighters entered the first floor of the home. Residents watched from the street.
No serious injuries were reported. The county fire marshal’s office said its investigators and police arson detectives are trying to determine whether the fire, which started on the second floor, was set intentionally.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
