Lynbrook Fire Department saves man from burning home

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Lynbrook firefighters saved a man from his burning basement on Feb. 21.

Just after 1:30 a.m. that morning, the Lynbrook Fire Department was alerted about a house fire at 68 Shipherd Ave., just off Sunrise Highway. Upon arrival, smoke was seen emanating from the home.

Residents outside the house told firefighters that someone might still be in the basement. The fire was already blowing out of a basement window. 

Chief Michael Brooks signaled that there was a fire. Third Assistant Chief Danny Ambrosio proceeded to the rear and forced open a basement door and started a search with First Assistant Chief John Donald. They were then joined by Truck Company’s inside team, which comprised Captain James DiGiambattista, former Captain Scott Bien and firefighter James Merkel. Brooks notified members inside that a victim was confirmed to be trapped in the home.

Without the protection of a hose line, and in heavy smoke, Bien and Merkel located an unconscious man in the basement. Working together, the chiefs and Truck Company members were able to remove the victim and pass them to the care of Medical Company personnel. 

EMT and former Captain Janice Germain immediately began CPR with the assistance of EMT and Captain Kaitlin Curran and EMT and Lieutenant Kacie Curran. The man was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital in Oceanside by Lynbrook’s ambulance with the assistance of Northwell Health paramedics

Members of Engine 1 stretched a hose line into the basement and extinguished the fire. Brooks was the incident commander and requested mutual aid from surrounding fire departments.

Due to the fast actions by Lynbrook firefighters, the victim is alive, stable, and was transported to the Nassau County Burn Center at Nassau University Medical Center.