Sea Cliff chief calls for reinforcements for house fire amid steamy weather
Firefighters from 23 departments battle at six alarm fire at 9th Avenue home on Tuesday in Sea Cliff. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Temperatures were so high Tuesday morning that twice the number of firefighters as ordinarily needed were brought in to help extinguish a house fire in Sea Cliff, according to the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office.
About 100 firefighters from 23 departments were dispatched to the fire, at a Victorian house, on 9th Avenue that was unoccupied at the time, said the office’s chief fire marshal, Michael Uttaro.
It was under control by 1 p.m., he said.
A raging house fire in Sea Cliff burned out of control for nearly two hours Tuesday morning.
Credit: Lou Minutoli
“We don’t want anyone dropping. We don’t want anyone not going home,” Uttaro said of the extra help, requested by a Sea Cliff fire chief.
Firefighters were checked for heat exhaustion — vital signs checked, hydration and cooling rags offered, he said. One firefighter with heat exhaustion was brought to the hospital.
Uttaro said the second floor and attic were badly damaged.
“The lady wasn’t home. She was out,” he said. The home will likely need to be razed, he said.
The source of the fire, reported at 11:02 a.m., was an air conditioning unit in the attic and isn’t suspicious; the cause remains undetermined.
The homeowner of the house — a two-story Colonial built in 1880, according to property records — couldn't be reached for comment.
Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.
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