Blaze ravages Amityville shopping center

Firefighters from a dozen departments needed several hours yesterday morning to extinguish a blaze that ravaged a small Amityville shopping center, officials said.

The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. Thursday at a single-story center at the corner of Route 110 and Merrick Road, officials said. The A'lure Spa and Salon, a ski tour company and a stained-glass gallery were destroyed in the fire, said salon owner Isabel Cassella.

First responders tried to control the fire, which apparently originated in the basement, said Amityville fire department First Assistant Chief Charles Scudlo. The fire was "too overwhelming" and the first floor became unstable, driving firefighters out, Scudlo said. By 11 a.m., the fire had been extinguished.

Nearby hydrants had insufficient water pressure because of the hot, dry summer, so water had to be pumped from the Amityville River, a quarter-mile away from the fire, Scudlo said.

Thursday's high heat also spurred the fire departments to rotate crews to guard against heat exhaustion.

Scudlo said the Suffolk County fire marshal was investigating.

Amityville village building inspectors would determine whether the building would be demolished, Scudlo said.

Calls placed to the building department were not returned, but Cassella said the gutted building had been torn down by 4:30 p.m. Thursday to avoid blowing debris.

"They're worried about the storm," she said, referring to high winds expected from Hurricane Earl's arrival off shore Friday.

The building's basement was shared by all three businesses, Cassella said. She kept the salon's stock of supplies in the basement, which she described as "like a maze."

Cassella, of Massapequa, said her first concern was about how her 23 employees were going to support their families.

She said the building was owned by Amity Corner Inc. which is run by Arthur Szu, according to business records. Szu did not respond to a message left at an auto business that records show he owns.

About 150 firefighters responded, Scudlo said. No injuries were reported, Amityville police said.

With John Valenti

and Gary Dymski