Nassau Nursing Home Generator Catches Fire: Photos

WOODBURY, NY — A Woodbury nursing home caught fire this week after a crash into a nearby utility pole caused a power surge, officials said.

Heavy flames broke out in a generator at the Cold Spring Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Syosset-Woodbury Road around 8:15 p.m. Monday, officials told Patch.

Firefighters found the blaze coming from a generator that had a 2,000 gallon diesel fuel tank below it, officials said. Crews stood by with hose lines ready and had to ensure the burning generator wasn't back fed by another generator or from the nursing home.

Around 6:45 p.m. Monday, a white sedan crashed into a utility pole on Syosset-Woodbury Road, leaving one person hurt. The crash happened about a block from the nursing home, officials said, and an ensuing power surge kicked on the generators, one of which caught fire.

The Nassau County emergency management workers were sent to the nursing home with a medical emergency response vehicle in case the home needed to be evacuated. The home was not evacuated.

A Nassau County fire marshal hazardous materials team was also sent to the home. No one was hurt and the diesel tank was not compromised, officials said.

Below are photos from the scene.