Chief of Department John Loeber was at the scene right behind Chief Johnston and was in
              charge of fire operations.  He had the first engine at the scene, engine 5, connect to a fire
              hydrant across the street from the fire. 

              The crew from engine 5 extinguished the visible fire outside which had burned through the
              front door and the visible fire in the living room which shattered the room’s window.  As
              other units arrived, entry was made to the house with hose lines to the main and 2nd floors
              to extinguish other pockets of fire.  The fire was under control in about fifteen minutes. 

              A next door neighbor Evelyn Krulder of 2423 Beech Street suffered chest pains and was
              treated by fire medics and then transported to the hospital. 

              Chief Loeber requested that the fire marshal office be notified for an immediate
              investigation.  Nassau County Fire Marshals Joseph Whittaker was first on the scene.  He
              also requested that the services of “Howard” an accelerant detecting canine to the scene
              as well as the Nassau County Arson/Bomb Squad.  Fire Marshal Joseph Schweitzer
              responded with Howard as well as Arson/Bomb Detective Charles Millar. The fire
              marshal’s office and the arson/bomb squad are conducting a joint investigation into the
              cause of this fire which completely guttered the house. 

              “Howard” is a 9 ½ year old, 75 pound, black Labrador retriever who was trained by the
              Connecticut State Police as an “accelerant detecting canine.”  He has been assigned to the
              fire marshal’s office in 1993.  Howard is scheduled to retire on May 20, 2001 when he
              reaches is tenth birthday 

              Fire units were at the scene until approximately 4:30 am.  This fire was the Wantagh Fire
              Department’s 1,426 alarm in 2000.