VALLEY STREAM, Long Island (WABC) — A row of apartments and businesses was destroyed after a fire broke out in Valley Stream on Easter Sunday.
Two residents and a firefighter are recovering from minor injuries after the fire started on the first floor, inside a barbershop.
The fire started Sunday afternoon around 5:30 p.m. Four businesses were impacted on Rockaway Avenue near Sunrise Highway.
The barbershop was a staple in the Valley Stream community. Customers say their barber that owns the shop called Mr. D’s started cutting hair out of his garage decades ago, before eventually continuing his popular business in town, where he has been for about 15 years.
The barbershop and a neighboring hair salon had fire damage and a furniture upholstery store and pizza shop had heavy smoke damage.
Fire officials say flames quickly spread to some apartments above.
No one was home at the time, but the Red Cross is now assisting at least three families.
It took about 100 firefighters 45 minutes to get the blaze under control.
Officials say the fire marshal deemed the fire to be electrical and not suspicious after faulty surge plugs were found in the back of the barbershop.
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