Year in Review: Biggest Fires of 2013

The Garden City Fire Department battled some serious fires in 2013. Here's a look back at the biggest blazes from this past year:

Andover Court: An early morning fire engulfed a Garden City home Nov. 24. The blaze broke out in the rear yard of an Andover Court home at approximately 2:14 a.m. and quickly spread to the home. A 41-year-old resident was watching television when he smelled smoke inside the home. When he looked outside, he saw a patio swing fully engulfed. He tried putting it out with a fire extinguisher but was unsuccessful and the fire quickly spread. Chief William Castoro said strong winds hampered firefighting efforts at the scene. He described the blaze as "probably the largest fire we've had in the village since the St. Mary's fire."

Hamilton Place: Fire gutted a Hamilton Place home around 4 p.m. Oct. 31, just as kids began trick-or-treating for Halloween. There workers at the home at the time of the fire. A Merrick man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a fire marshal and police officer in Garden City. Christopher Charles of Merrick, who owns a fire restoration business, said he was a fire marshal when he met with the Hamilton Place homeowner and tried to get the victim to sign a public adjuster's contract, according to police.

Pell Terrace: A Garden City home was heavily damaged by fire Oct. 5. The blaze broke out at a Pell Terrace home around 7 p.m. Smoke and flames could be seen for a distance. Village firefighters, along with mutual aid companies from surrounding towns, brought the fire under control at approximately 7:30 p.m. No injuries reported at the scene.

Kildare Road: A fire tore through a Kildare Road garage Sept. 7. The fire reportedly broke out in a garage at a home on the corner of Kildare Road and Main Avenue at 9:30 p.m.

Franklin Court: A basement fire erupted at a Franklin Court home July 24 after residents left burning candles on a table in the basement. There were no injuries to residents or firefighters.

Oak Street (E. Garden City): In East Garden City, a sports utility vehicle burst into flames on Oak Street near Commercial Avenue in East Garden City around 1 p.m. Oct. 11. The Uniondale Fire Department was dispatched to extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported.