1655 hours. The Hauppauge Fire Department was dispatched to an activated fire alarm at the Hyatt Hotel on Motor Parkway. Shortly thereafter and based on a 911 call reporting a fire in the building with at least one burn victim, 4-2-0 re-toned the alarm as a structure fire with burn victims. Units arrived and confirmed that there had been a flash fire within an electrical equipment room on the arrivals floor of the building. Crews from Central Islip Hauppauge Community Ambulance arrived and tended to the victims. A medivac helicopter was requested, but could not fly due to the weather. Firefighters located the fire area and confirmed that the fire was out and had not extended. 

Assistant Chief Stephen Feron operated with 4 engines, the ladder and heavy rescue. FD personnel setup fans to evacuate the smoke. FD personnel searched the building to confirm that no one was trapped within the elevators or anywhere else. Due to electrical issues resulting from this incident, the hotel was evacuated and remained closed until repairs were made. The Central Islip Fire Department sent an engine to Hauppauge FD Headquarters to cover for the duration of the incident. The hotel was allowed to reopen the next day.  The incident is under investigation by detectives from the 4th precinct and OSHA.

Photo courtesy of Evan Rolla