The Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct building has been closed indefinitely after a fire destroyed the structure Saturday night and sent several officers to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, the authorities said.
The fire occurred at 10:12 p.m. in the precinct building at 7700 Jericho Tpke. in Woodbury, according to police. The fire started in the kitchen and spread to two adjacent offices.
The Syosset Fire Department and six other nearby departments quickly extinguished the blaze Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and other county officials addressed the situation at a press conference outside the station Sunday.
“At this time, we have made a preliminary assessment of the damage and we’ve determined that the building is not salvageable,” said Blakeman. “We will be expediting the construction of a new precinct building.”
Blakeman did not supply any details about the new precinct building.
Six Nassau police officers were inside the building at the time of the fire: a lieutenant, a sergeant, two detectives and two officers, according to Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. They were treated for smoke inhalation and have since been released from the Nassau University Medical Center.
County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said the cause of the fire was not suspicious. But an investigation was ongoing.
Blakeman said there was no disruption in service following the fire and that officials also saved much of the evidence, weapons and important files. He said officials will work with the Eighth Precinct and will move some personnel there.
Blakeman added the Town of Oyster Bay has agreed to allow police to park their vehicles at the nearby Syosset-Woodbury Community Park. They will also bring trailers to the site to ensure continuing service until they build a new station.
Those making emergency calls should continue to dial 911. Residents who need to contact staff at the Second Precinct can do so at 516-573-6200.
“You will see the same amount of cars [outside the Second Precinct] that you see every day. The response will be exactly the same,” said Ryder. “Where it changes is when you come to this building. Right now, we’re asking you to go to the Eighth Precinct.”
The Second Precinct covers Bayville, East Norwich, Hicksville, Jericho, Lattingtown, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay, Plainview, Syosset, Westbury and Woodbury.
