02/13/2007: Bay Shore Florist Shop Fire

BAY SHORE, NY - Just before midnight on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 the Bay Shore Fire Department was toned out for a miscellaneous alarm (transformer fire) at Patthey Flowers, located at 252 East Main Street. The first arriving chief could see smoke showing and a working fire was toned out. With 24 degree weather and freezing rain lightly falling, this was what firefighters call “fire weather.”

Arriving units quickly attacked the fire at the front of the store as reports of heavy fire inside the building came over. Fire was showing through the roof as well as to the rear and sides of the building. Mutual aid requested from Islip to assist at the scene. West Islip was also requested to standby at the Bay Shore Fire Department headquarters.

Firefighters made their way inside to attack the fire but as quickly as they began their inside attack, command issued everyone out of the building as air horns began to sound. Reports of a partial collapse were coming over the air as Keyspan was requested due to a ruptured gas line which was feeding the fire.

Firefighters attacking the fire from the rear had to be careful as flames shot up into the sky with explosion sounds echoing through the streets. Tower ladders and master streams worked on the fire outside for over an hour to bring the main body of the fire under control.

During the massive blaze the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Rescue Ambulance Squad had multiple ambulances on scene as well as their triage tent to assist in any way they could.

Arson squad was on scene investigating the fire but at this time it is unknown as to the cause of this inferno. With everyone working together the fire was kept under control and nearby buildings were not damaged in anyway.