Nesconset FD-Commercial building fire on Smithtown Blvd

February 24, 1951 Fire at “Gourmet Restaurant Bldg” on Smithtown Blvd. Address is not known but it was described as being 100 feet away from the original Nesconset Post Office (which was on the south side of Smithtown Blvd, East of Lake Avenue). The fire was reported at around 0400 hours. A dog named Pompey, alerted the building owner, who was asleep in a room on the 2nd floor of the rear section of the building. The owner, Ernest Riely 37, was able to escape with the dog and was not injured. Nesconset, Lakeland and Ronkonkoma FDs fought the fire for several hours in bitter cold temps. Jon Schottlandt was Chief of Department and the OIC. A Ronkonkoma engine sustained damage due it its proximity to the fire. 3 firefighters were injured. fireman Ralph Nixie suffered smoke poisioning and was transported to Mather Memorial Hospital. Firefighter Anthony Vion fell through a floor and Edward Bay (lakeland FD) suffered a leg injury from a swinging hose. At the time of the fire, the restaurant had been open for 4 years. The original part of the building was built around 1911 and had been a restaurant most of this time.