UPDATE: Early-Morning Fire Destroys New CIty Home

Fire investigators belive a blaze that destroyed the home at 10 Tamarac Ave., New City, this morning started on a rear wall next to the home's back deck.

More than 50 volunteer firefighters battled the early-morning blaze today. Residents of the home owned by Thomas Tharian escaped the blaze without injury, according to Rockland County Deputy Fire Coordinator John Kryger. They were staying at a neighbor's home as firefighters battled the blaze.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire on the residential streeet just two blocks off of Congers Road near Prides Crossing at about 5:45 a.m. Smoke from the blaze could be seen in the early-morning sky for more than a mile away.

Firefighters fought to knock down the blaze for about an hour and were starting clean up operations by about  7 a.m. and were finished at the scene at 8:28 a.m.

Clarkstown fire inspectors and members of the Sheriff's Department's Bureau of Criminal Identification were are at the scene of the fire this morning, attempting to determine how it started. Fire Inspector Stephen Ungerleider said the exact cause of the fire is still being examined, but the start of the fire has been traced to a back wall of the home along a rear deck.

Kryger said that the house's attic area was engulfed with flames as members of the New City Fire Department arrived at the fire. The rear of the home was heavily damaged and the fire went on to destroy the upper level or the two-story home and collapsed the roof.

Firefighters battled the blaze from inside the home, from the yard outside the home and used their aerial pumper truck to attack the fire from above. As they arrived at the fire, New City volunteers immediately called for assistance from volunteer firefighters from Congers, West Nyack and Hillcrest.

Volunteers from Nanuet were standing by to assist New City with any other emergencies. Members of the New City Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Corps along with members of Rockland Paramedics were at the fire in case of injury.

Kryger said no firefighters were injured battling the blaze.

This is the second serious house fire in New City in five days. On Sunday, an early-morning fire that started in the kitchen severely damaged the home at 5 Hearth Court in New City. In that blaze, the top floor of the two-story home was badly damaged and the 75-year-old homeowner suffered burns on his hands.

More than 60 firefighters from New City and neighboring departments battled that fire, which was reported at 12:47 a.m.