Fire Rips through House On Union Rd In Spring Valley

RAMAPO – Authorities are investigating a fire that tore through a Hillcrest home Monday afternoon.

The fire destroyed the home at 134 Union Road and damaged the detached garage, with firefighters from four different communities working two and a half hours to put it down.

The cause of the fire, which started in the back of the house, is under investigation by the Ramapo Police Department and the county sheriff.

“When we got there, their fire was already out the windows," said Hillcrest Fire Department Assistant Chief Chris Bowers.

Bowers said the occupants, an Orthodox Jewish family, saw smoke and flames, evacuated the small, yellow house and called 911.

He said the heat complicated an initial push to fight the fire from inside the house and prompted a call for mutual aid.

Units from Spring Valley, Thiells, New City and West Haverstraw responded and Suffern stood by.

“Having the gear on, plus the heat itself, then the heat outside, it’s draining. You can’t spend a lot of time doing strenuous activities. There’s limited time they can actually go in there," Bowers said. "Once they come out, they’re throwing their gear off and trying to get cool.”  Source: Lohud

   {NYBuffMedia - Photos By: Monsey.com}