New City Firefighters Battle Home Blaze Monday

NEW CITY, NY — Firefighters were called to a blaze Monday morning at a home consumed by fire on Thornwood Drive.

"The homeowner smelled smoke, went down to the basement and saw flames coming from the garage area," said Detective Norman Peters, Clarkstown Police Public Information Officer. The residents who were home at the time were able to get themselves safely outside.

As the first officers arrived they heard what sounded like small arms ammunition going off inside the home. "This lasted for a very short period of time and did not hinder fire department operations," Peters said.

The cold temperatures made the firefighters' work more difficult but thankfully no one was injured, he told Patch.

Assisting the New City Fire Department were volunteers from Congers, Central Nyack and West Nyack, and the Nanuet Fire Department stood by to cover New City. New City and Nanuet ambulance corps responded.

O&R also responded to cut electric power.

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau is investigating the cause of the fire.