Update: Firefighters Battle Snow and Flames at West Hempstead Home

UPDATE: The Nassau County Fire Marshal determined the cause of his fire at the Langley Avenue residence to be electrical. It originated with an electrical chord on the second floor, according to James Hickman, Supervisor of the Fire Investigations Division.

As residents in Malverne and West Hempstead struggled to dig out their cars and shovel their sidewalks early Thursday morning after the 14-inch snowfall, local firefighters had a bigger battle on their hands.

Just before 8am, were called to the scene of fire at a home on the corner of Langley Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard in West Hempstead. When they arrived they found heavy smoke had engulfed the neighborhood and over a foot of packed snow buried the fire hydrant. Units from the and and other surrounding towns were called in to assist them, but Chief Jason LaCombe of the West Hempstead Fire Department remained in command of the operation.

Fortunately, the residents of the home were not inside at the time as they were away, and no serious injuries were reported, however, the blaze did cause substantial damage throughout the house. (Take a look at the photos from inside and outside the house.)

The Nassau County Fire Marshal's Office investigated the home shortly after and it was boarded up Thursday afternoon.