Questions surround hydrant closest to fatal Herricks fire following conflicting reports
Superintendent of the Garden City Park Water District said in a statement to News 12 on Wednesday, "Two hydrants closest to the incident were operational and in use and were utilized during the incident."
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There is conflicting information coming from officials regarding the fire hydrants in a Herricks community where a fatal fire happened Tuesday.
Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro told News 12 that one of the closest fire hydrants on Herricks Road malfunctioned, so firefighters had to tap into another hydrant further down the street.
However, Superintendent of the Garden City Park Water District said in a statement to News 12 on Wednesday, "Two hydrants closest to the incident were operational and in use and were utilized during the incident."
The Garden City Park Water District went on to say in part, "We place the utmost important in maintaining our hydrants to ensure a sufficient water supply is available to fight fires or address emergency situations."
Members of the family involved in the fire that cost one woman her life said they felt there was a delay in first responders' response.
Neighbors say their hearts go out to the family, but they also want to know exactly what happened.
"It's something you think about, you need access to those fire hydrants," one person said. "You only need it every 20 or 30 years, but when you need it, you need it immediately."
Uttaro says the fire is not considered suspicious, but the cause is still undetermined.
