Overnight blaze rips through Baldwin stores

An overnight fire swept through a line of storefronts on Merrick Road near the intersection of Grand Avenue in Baldwin Tuesday, damaging businesses and forcing families into the street, officials said.

Twenty-one people were displaced from apartments above the storefronts and were relocated by Red Cross, Nassau County police said. Seven firefighters were treated at the scene for heat exhaustion, according to police.

It was not immediately known what caused the blaze, which was reported at 10:42 p.m., fire officials said.

The fire appeared to be centered around the Pizza Garden, located at 95 Merrick Rd., and the nearby New Old Venice Inn.

Fire and police officials said volunteers from at least 17 departments responded to the fire: Baldwin, Oceanside, Freeport, Rockville Centre, Hempstead, South Hempstead, Merrick, North Merrick, Bellmore, North Bellmore, Roosevelt, East Rockaway, Point Lookout, Long Beach, Island Park, Lakeside and Lynbrook.

Nassau County police said Merrick Road remained closed in both directions at Grand Avenue at 5:30 a.m. for what they called an ongoing investigation. Fire marshals and arson squad detectives are on scene.