Chaos in East Meadow: House Fire Injures 5, Displaces Multiple Families
East Meadow, NY — A raging house fire tore through a quiet residential neighborhood late Tuesday night, leaving five people injured and multiple families displaced, according to local officials.
The blaze broke out around 11:30 p.m. on Prospect Avenue, quickly engulfing a two-story home and threatening nearby properties. Firefighters from multiple departments responded within minutes and battled intense flames for over an hour before bringing the fire under control.
Nassau County officials confirmed that five individuals sustained injuries, including one person who was hospitalized with serious burns. The others were treated for smoke inhalation and minor wounds at the scene. No fatalities have been reported.
Authorities say several families living in the building were forced to flee into the street with little more than the clothes on their backs. The American Red Cross has stepped in to assist with emergency shelter, clothing, and food.
“The flames were coming out of every window. It was terrifying,” said local resident Maria Lopez, who lives across the street. “You could hear people yelling and glass shattering.”
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, though initial reports suggest it may have started in the kitchen area. Officials say the home did not have a working fire alarm system, a factor that could have worsened the situation.
This incident marks the latest in a series of house fires on Long Island this year, prompting renewed calls for fire safety awareness and the installation of smoke detectors in all residences.
