4 injured when firetruck crashes into Rockville Centre store while responding to call

Four people, including three firefighters, were injured Friday when a firetruck responding to a call collided with another vehicle, then careened into a furniture store in Rockville Centre, officials said.

The firetruck crashed into the Master of Furniture Ltd. store located at 36 South Long Beach Rd., causing the store facade to partially collapse. 

A video taken from a neighbor's Ring doorbell camera shows a white Lexus proceeding northbound down South Long Beach Road with the firetruck in the lane to its immediate left. When the Lexus began to turn left, it collided with the truck on the driver's side, causing it to swerve into the store while the Lexus swerved into the parking lot.

At the scene Friday afternoon, the Rockville Centre Fire Department fire engine from the Woodland Engine Co. was still halfway inside the furniture store. Bricks and debris from the store's front entrance were scattered on the sidewalk and part of the store's awning had fallen onto the Lexus. 

Later, as scores of firefighters, police and onlookers gathered, both the Lexus and the firetruck were pulled away. The firetruck was extensively damaged and the Lexus had damage to the driver's side. 

Julie Grilli, a spokeswoman for the Rockville Centre Fire Department, said three firefighters and a civilian suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The Lexus driver was not injured, she said. The names of those involved were not released.

Michelle Randolde, 44, an event planner from Oceanside, stood across the street watching the fire engine being pulled out. Randolde said she was several blocks south at a self-storage space when she heard the accident.

"I heard the crash," Randolde said. "Like a freight train, it was so loud."

Jeanie Waters, 65, a cashier who lives two houses north of the furniture store, said she heard a noise from within her home and came outside to see a cloud of smoke or dust.

Waters said the owner of the furniture store is a good neighbor.

"I just feel so bad," Waters said, looking at the scene from her doorstep. "He is so sweet ... his work is amazing."

Frank Vaccaro, president of Master of Furniture, which specializes in restoration, repair and refinishing, according to its website, could not be reached. The store opened in 1985.