MINEOLA, NY – A fire at the home of Mineola Fire Department Truck Company No. 2 Ex-Chief Richard Kotowski erupted at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, consuming the front portion of the western end of the two-story Ellsworth Avenue home.
At least 50 firefighters from companies from Mineola, Williston Park, Garden City Park, Westbury, Garden City and New Hyde Park responded to the scene of the fire, which is reportedly electrical in nature, extinguishing the blaze at about 12:45 p.m.
Lt. Mike DeStefano and Lt. Carl Nunziata were the first firefighters to arrive on the secne after receiving multiple calls. Nunziata stated that the “whole front of the home” was engulfed in smoke.
Kotowski, 60, was not at home at the time of the fire and the residence was reportedly empty. There were no injuries reported at the scene.
Firefighters were able to enter the residence and the second floor, putting out several smaller fires that could be seen on the power line running from the utility pole directly across from the house on the south side of Ellsworth Avenue. An electrician from LIPA arrived on the scene at about 12:50 p.m. to disconnect the power line from the pole.
The exact cause of the fire is pending an investigation by fire marshals.
Receive updates to this story and other breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here
