Fires less than 18 hours apart in Hempstead and Shirley displaced the occupants of two homes, officials said.

The Hempstead Fire Department responded to a fire at a two-story home on Alabama Avenue around 2:50 p.m. Thursday, Assistant Chief Fire Marshal Andrew Schmitt Jr. said in a news release.

"Heavy damage to the house" rendered it "not habitable," Schmitt said.

Around 55 volunteers, including those from the Baldwin, Freeport, Garden City, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead and West Hempstead fire departments, responded to the call.

After the fire, which was contained after 25 minutes, the owner of the home arrived and was evaluated by first responders, according to Schmitt. The fire marshal could not be reached by telephone Thursday evening to discuss the homeowner's condition. No o

See Full Page