Burning Candles Ignite Franklin Court Basement Fire

The Garden City Fire Department responded to an alarm from Firecom reporting a basement fire at a Franklin Court residence early Wednesday morning.

According to Chief Bill Castoro, Lt. Scalise was first due and reported "smoking showing." Lt. Clancy and Engine 143 arrived shortly after.

Assistant Chief Nadolny quickly established a command post and assumed Incident Command, Chief Castoro said.

"After a size up by the interior team, the Garden City Fire Department requested one truck to scene from the Mineola Fire Department and requested stand-by units to our Headquarters from Franklin Square and New Hyde Park Fire Departments to cover any additional alarms," Castoro said.

Occupants advised that they had left the residence for about 30 minutes and left candles burning on a table in the basement, Chief Castoro reported.

Lt. Scalise along with Lt. Clancy and Firefighter Devyn Moody advanced a handline to the basement and extinguished the fire. Exhaust fans were used to clear the home of smoke. Members shut down main power to the home as there was some damage to electrical wires in the basement, Chief Castoro said.

"Damage was limited to the area of origin of the fire; along with smoke damage throughout the residence," he said. "There were no injuries to residents or firefighters."