Fire ravages second floor of Massapequa office building

Volunteers from five fire departments battled a blaze early Tuesday that ravaged the second floor of an office building in Massapequa, fire and police officials said.

Massapequa Fire Chief Gerard Keuchler, whose department was lead on fighting the blaze, said about 80 firefighters arrived at 550 Broadway to find flames pouring out of the upper windows.

He said there was "major damage" to the second floor from the fire and said the first floor suffered water damage.

The fire was reported at 2:08 a.m., and Keuchler said it took about a half-hour for firefighters to bring the blaze under control and about two hours for it to be extinguished.

Overhaul of the scene lasted until close to 7 a.m., he said.

Assisting departments included North Massapequa, Seaford, Wantagh and Bethpage.

Three firefighters suffered minor injuries. Two -- one suffering from smoke inhalation, the other with a twisted knee -- were treated and released.

The third was taken to St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage with potential heat exhaustion, Keuchler said. His status was unknown.

The Town of Oyster Bay building inspector was notified. Nassau County police said Arson Squad detectives also responded, attempting to determine the cause of the blaze. The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

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.”