Morning fire damages Valley Stream IHOP

An early morning fire in Valley Stream Saturday spread through an IHOP restaurant causing extensive damage but no injuries, Nassau County Police said.

It took 75 fire fighters two and a half hours to contain the fire, which officials say began around 6:30 a.m.

A restaurant employee arrived at the IHOP, 180 E. Sunrise Highway, and turned on the grills, officials said. A short time later, however, the employee saw smoke coming from the grill area.

A call was made to 911 and the Valley Stream Fire Department as well as surrounding fire departments responded.

There were no injuries reported but there was extensive damage to the building, Valley Stream Fire Chief Joseph Fernandez said.

Officials said the fire was not suspicious.

The Nassau County Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire, Hernandez said.