Hempstead Turnpike reopens after fire

A building fire at an auto dealership late Saturday morning caused closure of all eastbound lanes of Hempstead Turnpike at Newbridge Road in East Meadow.

All lanes were reopened just before 3 p.m., Nassau County police said.

Mike Panagatos, owner of Empress Diner, next door to the Auto World Kia dealership, said six fire trucks and two ambulances were on the scene.

Panagatos said firefighters were fighting the fire, though smoke was no longer was visible, at 1 p.m.

"It's causing a major traffic jam, and it is causing our business to be killed," Panagatos said.

North Bellmore fire department officials could not immediately be reached for comment.