Unoccupied home in New Square destroyed by fire

NEW SQUARE — Flames could be seen for several blocks as a fire ravaged the top two floors of a three-story, multi-family home late Wednesday evening.

Firefighters arrived to the new-construction housing development at 13 Berdichev Way about 10:45 p.m., said Hillcrest Fire Chief Lloyd Hovelmann. The building was believed to be unoccupied.

“I got here and we had fire coming out of the second floor and advancing to the third floor,” Hovelman said. “We set up our operation and went offensive. We went aerial because the roof was about to collapse.”

The flames could be seen for blocks in the village and a large group of spectators had come out to watch firefighters from Hillcrest, Spring Valley and New City tackle the blaze.

After about 30 minutes, the situation was under control with no reported injuries. Shortly before 11:30 p.m., firefighters continued to check the building, breaking windows and moving through the home to make sure the flames had all been knocked down.

The top two floors of the home were completely destroyed by fire, smoke and water. The bottom floor looked to have been largely spared by the flames, but did appear to have sustained heavy water damage.

Attached homes on both sides of unit 13 also appeared to have been damaged by the flames and water.

Hovelmann said late Wednesday that it was too soon to determine whether the blaze was suspicious or accidental. A Bureau of Criminal Investigations unit as well as the New Square Fire Inspector were said to be investigating at the scene.

Ramapo police, the Spring Hill Ambulance Corps and Hatzolah Ambulance assisted at the scene.