Long Island

Condo complex goes up in flames on Long Island

It happened late Christmas night

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Three firefighters were hurt battling a blaze that engulfed a condominium complex on Long Island late Christmas night, according to police.

Nassau County police say the fire at the gated Vista Drive complex in Jericho broke out around 10:20 p.m. No major injuries were reported -- and the three firefighters are expected to be OK -- but two other connecting homes sustained major damage.

Video showed wild orange flames leaping into the dark night sky as firefighters battled the fire. Hot spots were still being doused through Thursday morning.

Jericho Fire Chief Christopher Foresto said the fire broke out in the wall near a fire place of a home where a family had been winding down their Christmas celebration. The flames ultimately caused the condo to collapse, with the first floor falling into the basement.

The American Red Cross said it was assisting 11 people as a result of the fire. The residents of the home where the fire broke out did not want to speak with reporters.

What sparked the inferno was under investigation, though Nassau County Fire Chief Michael Uttaro said the cause was not deemed to be suspicious.

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