Flames Threaten Unoccupied Home Before Bellmore Crews Halt Floorboard Extension

Bellmore, NY - Firefighters from the Bellmore Fire Department, supported by surrounding South Shore mutual aid departments, brought a working basement electrical fire under control quickly Sunday night, stopping flames before they could engulf an unoccupied residence on Saint Marks Avenue.

At approximately 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Bellmore Fire Department was dispatched to reports of an electrical fire at a home on Saint Marks Avenue between Clarendon Street and Merrick Road. Arriving first on location, Second Assistant Chief James Constantin conducted an initial size-up, reporting active fire burning around the exterior electrical service panel and heavy smoke pushing from the basement windows.

Chief of Department Eric Ozechowski assumed incident command upon arrival and directed first-due Bellmore Engine 603 and Merrick Fire Department Engine 643 to immediately secure positive water supplies from nearby hydrants and stretch two attack handlines.

During an interior primary search of the smoke-filled, unoccupied home, Chief Constantin observed flames burning directly through the floorboards above the basement electrical panel, prompting Chief Ozechowski to upgrade the incident to a full working fire.

Coordinated interior attack teams suppressed the fire in short order, while truck crews established comprehensive horizontal and vertical ventilation. Firefighters from Bellmore Engines 601, 602, and 603, Ladder 606, and Heavy Rescue 607 conducted detailed overhaul, opening up walls and ceilings around the panel to check for hidden pockets of fire and prevent rekindling.

Mutual aid operating on scene included Merrick Fire Department Engine 643 and Ladder 6412, Wantagh Fire Department Ladder 6911, and North Merrick Fire Department Ambulance 677, with Bellmore Ambulance 6011 coordinating medical command. Standby coverage at Bellmore headquarters was provided by Seaford Ladder 683 and North Merrick Engine 674, while emergency medical standby was handled by Bellmore-Merrick EMS. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.