MONROE – A long-abandoned cabin deep
in the woods in Monroe went up in flames late Saturday afternoon.
Firefighters were called to a report of a smokey brush fire off Route
17, but discovered the vacant cabin engulfed in flames.
The area is alongside the exit 130 off-ramp from the westbound lanes of
the highway; it is bordered on the other side by Seven Springs Road in
Kiryas Joel.
Some 50 firefighters from several area departments braved the hot weather
as they struggled to put out the blaze.
The house was totally destroyed.
Fire off Rt. 17 raged for hours (Photo: Mark Lieb, Rockland Video
Productions)
The fire spread to the surrounding woods, creating several brush fires.
Firefighters remained on the scene into the evening dousing hot spots.
There were no injuries.
There has been a rash of fires throughout Orange County this summer involving
abandoned homes and buildings.
The cause of Saturday’s fire remains under investigation.
