New City Man Hurt, Home Damaged in Early-Morning Fire

A New City homeowner was injured and his house heavily damaged today in an early-morning kitchen fire.

The blaze, which was reported about 12:47 a.m., caused heavy damage to the upper level of the two-story ranch-style house at 5 Hearth Court, located a block off Laurel Road. The homeowner's wife was able to escape the fire without injury, according to New City volunteer firefighters.

About 60 volunteer firefighters from the New City, Congers, Nanuet and West Nyack volunteer fire departments battled the blaze. New City Fire Department Deputy Chief Kenny Flynn said the home's upper floor was engulfed in flames and smoke when he arrived and it took firefighters about 30 minutes to knock down the fire.

Flynn said no firefighters were injured battling the fire on the residential street. Fire trucks were spread out over about two blocks of the New City neighborhood.

Firefighters said homeowner Myron Friedman, 75, discovered the fire and ran to a neighbor's home to get help. The Friedman was taken to Nyack Hospital by members of the New City Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Company for treatment of burns to his hands, according to Clarkstown police. The Friedman's wife was staying at a neighbor's home this morning.

Fire officials said the blaze may have started with the home's oven. An investigation into the fire was continuing this morning.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the top floor of the home, with firefighters having to dump charred furniture from the home out the living room window and onto the front lawn. Firefighters also cut into the roof at the rear of the home to help fight the fire.

By about 1:57 a.m., firefighters were starting clean up operations and were done at the scene of the fire by 2:45 a.m.

Officers from Clarkstown police, members of Rockland Paramedics and Nanuet Ambulance were also at the scene of the fire. Volunteers from the Hillcrest Fire Department manned the New City firehouse in case of another emergency.