At around 0530 this Sunday morning 11-1-2020, an explosion occurred on the very small island community of Meadowmere Park, Long Island, N.Y. Meadowmere Park is a residential community (of about 100 homes) that sits on a bay right across from NY’s Kennedy Airport, bordering NYC, protected by a volunteer FD in Nassau County’s 3rd Battalion.
Numerous departments responded on mutual aid and FDNY sent a first alarm assignment on mutual aid as well. There were some minor Firefighter injuries and 1 civilian suffered severe burns. The explosion blew large chunks of a roof into a house across the road — one owned by the Meadowmere Park FD Chief of Department, Kevin Carrero, who raced his own five kids to safety before rushing to lead the incident.
NOTE in the media video links the challenges of access on the residential streets.
Attached are two videos-one being a “RING” type doorbell that caught the actual explosion. THAT IS THE VIDEO that is most critical for us as Firefighters. The explosion video demonstrates the power of a gas leak-and explosion…and it is critical that it be kept in mind when responding to so called “routine gas leaks.”
As you’ve heard so many times previously, there are NO routine calls-and this – once again – really gives us insight on what we could encounter. Thankfully the Firefighters were alerted after the explosion-and were not in or at the dwelling when it exploded.
There were numerous challenges to the responding department (which is on the small island with just an engine, a quint and an ambulance) and those responding to assist-one bridge in and out. A few photos attached help you best understand their challenges.
REMINDER: When turning out for a reported gas leak, follow your FD policy (initial alarm response, levels of staging, size up, levels of operations, additional apparatus staging, area/neighborhood size up, equipment, use of law enforcement etc), Take the run very seriously and even if you don’t initially find anything-keep looking…multiple meters, check every crack and crevice, respond the gas company to assist etc…after all, we were called because someone smelled something. Don’t blow it off.
There is no rush to leave or return to quarters-do a thorough and professional check so that when you do return, you (and the occupants) are confident that the problem was determined and solved.
VIEW VIDEO HERE: Video (72)