[VIDEO & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Early Thursday morning, at approximately 1:57am, while patrolling neighborhoods in the Monsey section of the Town of Ramapo, Police Officer Daniel Jacaruso of the Ramapo Police Department saw and smelled smoke in the area of Saddle River Road. He searched the area and found a fully engulfed house fire at 3 Park Avenue, Monsey, NY. He noticed that the flames were quickly spreading toward 5 Park Avenue. Officer Jacaruso attempted to get to the front door of 5 Park Avenue, but the flames and heat from the fire next door prevented this. He therefore ran around to the rear of the house, banged on the back door, and woke up three elderly occupants whom he assisted to safety.

The Monsey Volunteer Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire, and Hillcrest FD responded on mutual aid. Rockland Paramedics and Faist Volunteer Ambulance stood by at the scene of this incident. Orange & Rockland Utilities arrived and shut the gas flow to 3 Park Avenue as flames were shooting from the gas regulator at the front of the residence near the foundation.

Ramapo Police tell YWN that the home was unoccupied and the cause of the fire is unknown. Rockland County BCI Arson Unit and Ramapo PD Investigations Unit are investigating the cause of this fire.

(Chaim Shaprio – YWN)