Natural gas fueled Uniondale fire

About 100 firefighters from more than a dozen Nassau County departments battled a natural-gas-fueled blaze that destroyed a beverage outlet center in Uniondale Tuesday morning, officials said.

The fire at the Thrifty Beverage center on Nassau Road was reported about 6 a.m., Nassau fire officials said.

Officials said it was unclear if the natural gas sparked the fire or merely contributed to the intensity of the blaze.

More than four hours after arriving, firefighters were still searching for hot spots inside the structure.

Volunteers from Uniondale, Roosevelt, East Meadow, Hempstead, Elmont, Franklin Square, West Hempstead, South Hempstead, North Bellmore, North Merrick, Merrick, Lakeview and Baldwin fire departments battled the blaze that engulfed the beer and soda store.

The cause of the fire was not known, Uniondale Fire Chief Anthony Lebron said.

Officials said there were no reported injuries.

The fire briefly closed northbound Brookside Avenue in the area, police said. Police said the building had been deemed unsafe and was being razed.

Lebron said the source of that gas was not clear Tuesday.

Fire officials at the scene were heard discussing low water pressure, but Lebron said he would not comment, citing the ongoing investigation.