Monsey, NY - House Fire Investigation Continues

Monsey, NY - Fire officials continued to investigate a fast-moving fire that tore through a multi-family home on Youmans Drive, displacing two families, as was reported on VOS IZ NEIAS.

Spring Valley Fire Chief Scott Maia said the village's fire inspector was at the home but could not determine a cause of the Monday afternoon blaze.

Maia said firefighters originally thought the fire began in the kitchen of 14 Youmans Drive and spread to an attached home at 16 Youmans Drive, but they learned that the fire most likely started underneath the basement stairs - below the kitchen.

The house was gutted and rendered uninhabitable. Walter Booker, the village's assistant building inspector, said the house was too badly damaged to have a certificate of occupancy and the homeowners would most likely have to knock it down and rebuild it.

Maia said the families - which had a total of nine children - were assisted by the Rockland chapter of the American Red Cross.

Spring Valley police Sgt. Jim Hoenniger said police were not releasing the names of the families because the investigation was still ongoing, although no foul play is suspected.