Fundraisers sponsored by Floral Park community leaders and the village’s Chamber of Commerce have raised more than $37,000 for businesses damaged by a fire in late September.
“We are a business family. We will support those affected, and we will ensure that all donations will be fully funded to each business,” the GoFundMe page says.
Officials said Floral Park police responded to reports of a building fire at the Park Place Bar and Grill at 41 Covert Ave. on the morning of Sept. 27. Upon arriving, officers observed fire and smoke from the building that extended to at least 11 adjacent storefronts, according to a news release from the county Police Department.
Firefighters from the Floral Park Fire Department along with the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, Great Neck Vigilant Fire Company, the New Hyde Park Fire Department and almost 20 others were represented at the scene throughout the day.
Nassau County Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said it took firefighters more than four hours to control the fire. Six businesses sustained major damage or were destroyed, while four others were damaged by smoke, Uttaro said. A private residence also had smoke damage, officials said.
Two members of the New Hyde Park Fire Department were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were treated for exhaustion and an elevated heart rate, according to officials. One Elmont firefighter also suffered exhaustion, officials said.
Village of Floral Park Mayor Dominick Longobardi praised the work of the local fire departments and emergency responders.
“Our Floral Park Fire Department valiantly fought this rapidly spreading fire with mutual aid from a large number of our neighboring departments,” Longobardi said. “The Floral Park and Nassau County Police Departments played key roles in protecting the many pedestrians and drivers who converged on the Village. The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s staff was on the scene to survey the damages and determine the fire’s probable cause.”
Neighboring stores to Park Place affected by the fire included Villager’s Perk, Shin’s Tae Kwon Do, Luna Eyelash, Capo Ristorante, Covert Nail & Spa, Covert Barber Shop, Original V.I. Pizza, Covert Optical and K. Hunter Boutique.
Longobardi said the damaged stores remained closed as the damage continued to be assessed and the water, gas, and electricity were shut off in “most or all of the businesses” affected by the fire.
“In the coming days and weeks, the causes of the fire will be determined as well as the future of the building structures, especially those most severely damaged and destroyed,” he said.
Longobardi also encouraged residents to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised an additional $14,000 from an earlier campaign that surpassed $23,000 in funds to support businesses affected by the fire.
“In the meantime, please continue to SHOP, DINE, AND TAKE OUT LOCAL to honor our local businesses,” Longobardi said in a letter to the community. “We wish all of our beloved Covert Avenue businesses well, and look forward to a speedy return to business in our Village for all of you affected by the fire.”
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said on Twitter, “My heart breaks for the small businesses along Covert Avenue in [Floral Park] that were devastated by today’s fire. Thank you to [the Nassau County fire marshal] and all of our brave volunteer fire departments and first responders across Nassau for coming together to bring the flames under control.”
Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin called the event “heartbreaking” and said the town “is ready to assist these businesses in any way possible during the rebuilding process.”
I am Ralph gode older son he was a village trustee member of the fl pk fire dept rescue company since 1943 fire fighter a very well advanced suburb ems medic who never cared when where or who one is child grown male female in his travels or village he’d help out at auto wrecks burns on child at camping grounds four degree burns on camp bar b que fire injuries in heavy crashes autos rescues from fires burning bed room in homes smoking in bed he said or paid am Red Cross job at fires or in flushing nycity Red Cross go along with local nycity fire station on calls he at times just traveling by driving by stopped to help used cpr saved lives he taught at local fire depts in nassau county on one call new Hyde park I was the patient the ambulance crew knew me said my dad trained Themis is was a pleasure to know there are some volks around in this who care for others volunteer thier time 365 days a year no matter what weather or time of day 24hours leave families to help in thier communities or any where 2much these daze is me my self and I just after the all mighty dollar $$$$$$$$$ I always supported the fire service polize and without worry over money we worked togher Ralph gode gone since may 29 2003 even tho home life was ok but sometimes we’ll we need more volks like he was like the fairben family all of who would help in floral park on fire or ems calls was it January 1974 a home fire in the west end 315 am delayed alarm first seen in belllrose area he found in fl pk village family was out west visiting whoever as gateway camera I first there saw north side of home big flames on the wall all five units were in action at three hours near six am I heard injured fighter north side of home it was James fairben of reliance co2engine I was told he was on a ladder hose all gear on lost balance fell on another co2member broke his two arms I only knew then Wayne beers of co1alert engine on front of home by window 2nd floor when after six am me and dad were home for breakfast Ralph said he crawled on grass dirt weeds to rescue him then around the village he was seen casts on both arms this is all I knew then on the scene or told afterwoods around fl pk or by relianceco2firestation north side Holland avenue since then I have heard fire dept volks with all thier gear gear on lose fifty percent ability to move at home my dad had two fire helmets they are heavy on my head or also was told then an older home the way built fire goes up the walls the home was lost I never learned more on this fire call when the family came back to fl pk I do this wording so volks can see what your volunteers do put up with nabors helping nabors who care before I met my senorita Linda Lang amigo some were as seen on I pad use him for $$$$$$$$$gold diggers him sex I hate when volks only use others for thier wants me myself or I once in the village I saw fire hydrant it had a small tree tied to it to keep tree up who cares over the tree no one I told did what so I did it own cut it rope string off hydrant if repeat more cared as I do how much nicer we’d have things world society I have done more once in new Hyde park on a small fire ten minutes engine co driver thanked me I miss this even fl pk pd dept help as of presently at the grand I have to put up with some bs I refuse to do I like my hometown fl pk and more nearby nassau or more I was always nice to whoever you are or jobs I could careless race regilion looks count but only so much handicapped also I judge volks more than just first looks thank you have a nice day if possible thank you