20 or so people are homeless after a fire Sunday night in Chestnut Ridge. The single-family home, located on the corner of Route 45 and Old Nyack Turnpike, was reportedly being used illegally as a rooming house by the United Talmudical Academy, which runs schools in Spring Valley, Airmont, Kiryas Joel and the city. That’s according to the Journal News. No one was reported injured in the blaze, but a dog was said to be the fire’s only casualty. Rockland Fire and Emergency Services Coordinator Chris Kear says there was heavy fire coming from the second floor windows when the Spring Valley Fire Department arrived around 9:30 pm Sunday night…
Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht says the Police Department was working with the Red Cross to find temporary shelter for those displaced by the fire…
The Journal News says the cause of the blaze is under investigation by the Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation fire unit and the Chestnut Ridge Building Department.