Fire causes extensive damage to Elmont home, neighboring garage

A downed power line sparked a residential fire that caused extensive damage to a home in Elmont Wednesday, officials said.

The fire on Froehlich Place was reported in a 911 call at 5:55 p.m. Authorities said about 75 firefighters from Elmont, Malverne and three other departments responded to the scene, a dead-end just west of Elmont Road. The fire had spread from a shed area to the home and then to a neighboring home's detached garage.

Police said a 58-year-old man got out of the home on his own and was not injured.

Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal James F. Hickman said one firefighter was treated for a laceration to his hand.

Investigators believe a power line fell on top of a shed, sparking a fire that set the home ablaze, Hickman said. The cause is considered accidental, he said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”