18 seniors displaced after fire at Uniondale housing complex

Eighteen people found themselves homeless Friday night following a fire at a senior housing complex in Uniondale, fire officials said.

The fire started just before 8 p.m. in a ground floor studio apartment at the Town of Hempstead senior housing facility at 750 Jerusalem Ave. No one was injured in the fire, which firefighters contained to one unit. The sole occupant of that studio was found outside unharmed, officials said.

"The Uniondale Fire Department did an excellent job containing the fire to that apartment," said James Hickman, Fire Investigations Division supervisor for the Nassau County fire marshal's office. Hickman said the fire appeared to be accidental, though he was not yet sure what caused it.

Nassau police said no criminality was suspected, and that four fire departments and 100 fire personnel responded to the blaze.

Sixteen apartment units had to be evacuated because the building's utilities were shut off, and its fire alarm must be serviced before residents can return, Hickman said.

Michael de Vulpillieres, a spokesman for the American Red Cross, said the agency will help people who have been displaced find housing, food and clothing.