Suspicious blaze levels vacant building in Sullivan County

TOWN OF THOMPSON -- Fire raged through a large summer home next to the Har-Nof bungalow colony in the Town of Thompson Sunday evening, destroying the 2 ½ story structure. The fire was labeled suspicious.

The blaze, on Route 42 near Frazier Road, broke out before 7 p.m. and was reported in the building, which burned to the ground. About six smaller bungalows nearby were saved from the flames.

Several fire companies were called to the scene to help Monticello firefighters extinguish the flames, said Monticello Fire Chief Mark Friedland.

“It was a hike through the woods and we had hand-stretched lines,” he said. Mutual aid was provided by Rock Hill, Forestburgh, Hurleyville and Fallsburg with Liberty and Wurtsboro on standby.

The cause was unknown last night. There were no reported injuries.

New York State Electric and Gas was called in to shut off power to the building as it burned.