Clear fire hydrants, officials urge
A snowed-in fire hydrant in Huntington Station on Monday. Credit: John Asbury
Several Long Island fire departments are urging residents to clear fire hydrants buried in snow.
Fire officials said fire hydrants should be cleared in a 3-foot radius in each direction to allow firefighters access to use hose hookups when responding to fires.
Long Island firefighters have responded to more than two dozen house fires in recent weeks, including two fatalities. In several cases, firefighters said they encountered hydrants buried in snow and ice.
Some fire departments, including Huntington and Huntington Manor, were holding contests, urging residents who cleared hydrants to submit photos to their Facebook pages.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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