Dozens Of Fire Departments Fight Massive Blaze In Westbury

WESTBURY, NY — Dozens of fire departments responded to a fire at a garbage facility in Westbury Wednesday night, causing delays on the LIRR. The fire burned all night and is now under control, but not entirely extinguished.

The fire started around 8:45 p.m. at Jamaica Ash and Rubbish Removal, located at 228 Grand Blvd. The facility is adjacent to LIRR railroad tracks.

There were 68 fire departments at the scene of the five-alarm fire, trying to contain the blaze. According to News 12, 250 firefighters were on the scene. Because of the blaze, LIRR trains on the branch were stopped and Mineola and couldn't proceed.

Limited service has since been restored on the LIRR, but trains are still running late.

Firefighters worked all through the night to get the blaze put out, and it was deemed under control around 11 a.m. Fire officials said parts of the site were still burning and smoldering as of noon Thursday.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran sent out a statement thanking all of the firefighters who responded for their work containing the blaze.

The Nassau County Police Department's Arson/Bomb Squad and the Nassau County Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the blaze. Officials said that, due to the size of the site and the extent of the fire, it could be a long while before a cause is determined.