UPDATE: Fire Shuts Down Sunrise Highway

Laura MacKinnon December 18, 2013 at 03:32 AM

Can anyone confirm the condition of the cars in the autozone parking lot?

Earth Girl December 18, 2013 at 05:49 AM

First and foremost, I'm glad nobody was hurt. Hands up and shout out to the Fire Dept's and police that were onsite keeping people safe. Second - I'm sure the NYSDEC will be onsite today due to the thousands of gallons of gasoline that is now contaminating the groundwater and the surrounding area. Not good - that cleanup will take years to contain/control.

Chris K December 18, 2013 at 07:22 AM

@Laura, I only saw one car in the autozone parking lot, and i cant remember make or model, but it had curtains in the rear windows if that helps. And it has had better days. This was a crazy scene, and if it wasn't for the VERY FAST response from Bellmore and its M/A's things could have been very bad. Bellmore Units finally started to leave around 0630.

Chris Mueller December 18, 2013 at 09:25 AM

Someone told me the Harley store and 2 houses burned down. I'm sure that's the exaggerated but can any one confirm?

CarlowGirl December 18, 2013 at 10:31 AM

Why the concern for cars in the autozone parking lot? How about the surrounding homes w/ people ...

CarlowGirl December 18, 2013 at 10:34 AM

btw --- for the people driving on Grand Avenue this morning -- have patience, stop screaming at each other... have some decency for those around you, the neighbors trying to get out of their driveways, for the students and school buses trying to get through. Leave earlier and drive safely. Stop being in such a rush all the time. People and homes could have been harmed and you are more worried about the 'traffic' you are sitting in for an extra few minutes .... Merry Christmas! unreal...

Chris K December 18, 2013 at 11:32 AM

First off, there was no deaths. Driver of trailer was out before any units arrived, he suffered broken leg. There was 2 people in the car that was rear ended from what i understand minor injuries, but all 3 were transported to hospital. Second, no houses burned down. There was 2 cars that were TOTALED, and a bunch of other cars plastics melted. 4 Houses had siding melted, 1 specially got it quite bad. Nothing major. Quick stop saved all 4 of them though. This scene could have been much worst. @Carlowgirl, THis is bellmore, do you really expect courtesy. I see people not stopping for firetrucks and ambulances daily. Nobody cares.... lol I was on the scene for around 7 hours, but people better not have a little bit of traffic. Would be horrible.

CarlowGirl December 18, 2013 at 11:53 AM

:) ty for your service last night!!! As for courtesy, No, people are getting worse and worse. I don't think it has to do with it being Bellmore. I grew up in Wantagh and have lived in North Bellmore for over 20 plus years. It's everyone, everywhere... I'm glad everyone got out safely, that should be the major concern, not a little traffic. Welcome to LI, traffic has been horrible for years.. People are selfish!!

CarlowGirl December 18, 2013 at 11:54 AM

I'm still stumped on Laura's comment about the autozone parking lot - shouldn't have been cars there parked at 11pm at night time. But oh well...

Chris K December 18, 2013 at 02:12 PM

Yea, everyone got out safe. As i said, i could have been so much worst. 4 houses were damaged by heat, and who knows what could have happened if it was a delayed response. Traffic could be much better if everyone just realized, they are not the only one on the road. Letting someone merge in front of you is not going to add much pain to the already painful traffic.... and there was a car in the autozone parking lot, and the rear of the vehicle had a bad time lol. bad heat exposure, rear window is out and interior was soaked lol

Laura MacKinnon December 18, 2013 at 06:38 PM

@carlowgirl I inquired about the vehicles because one of the destroyed vehicles belongs to a coworker of mine, the others are company vehicles. I work for autozone and already knew the condition of the building and that no one had critical injuries.