The Mineola Fire Department’s Company No. 2 responded to a grease fire in Wendy’s at 259 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park at 1:30 p.m., fire officials said. The flames were contained to a fryer in the kitchen area, with an estimated $1,500 in damage.
“It was a small grease fire in the fryer and it was knocked down with an extinguisher,” Mineola Fire Department Chief Jeff Clark said. “There was no extensive damage.”
Newly-elected Captain Carl Nunziata led Company No. 2 in the response. The Williston Park Fire Department’s ladder truck is currently being serviced and the MFD has been on automatic mutual aid to back up Williston Park, Clark said.
Clark said grease fires are usually contained to oven areas and can usually be put out by baking soda or a wet towel.
“The fryer probably overheated or there could’ve been grease on the side that ignited,” Clark said.
The Hillside Avenue Wendy’s parking lot will receive a considerable make over after the Williston Park Village Board approved the fast food chain’s plan to include a drive-thru. The proposal calls for a no-right-turn rule and curbing at the Burkhard Avenue exit to prevent patrons from cutting down residential streets.
The reopened Wendy’s hearings in December and February were hotly contested by local residents.
