(This report was filed by Robin Traum)
A steady stream of firefighters continues to arrive to help fight the stubborn blaze at 294 Phillips Hill Road in New City Monday morning.
At 11:30 a.m. flames and smoke were still visible from the bottom of the long, winding driveway. One New City firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion, but no other injuries have been reported.
In addition to the house that caught fire, there is a second house and a cottage on the property. Joan Falk owns the other house.
"I heard some popping noises," Falk said. "I thought it was firecrackers or something. It looked like it started in the center of the house and went through the roof. It looked unbelievable."
Volunteers from New City, Hillcrest, Congers, West Nyack, Spring Valley, Nanuet and West Haverstraw and Orangeburg Fire Departments were on the scene as well as New City Ambulance, Rockland County Paramedics and workers with Orange & Rockland. .
Falk said the owner of the house is an African diplomat who moved out approximately 10 years ago and rents the house out. She said she did not realize there was a fire until her electricity went out. Then she looked outside.
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