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SUV Slams Into Rockland Home, Sparking Large Fire

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- A Pearl River home burst into flames overnight after an SUV slammed into the garage, hitting a gas line, according to the Orangetown Police.

Pearl River firefighters battled a large fire after an SUV slammed into the home, hitting a gas main.

Pearl River firefighters battled a large fire after an SUV slammed into the home, hitting a gas main.

Photo Credit: Orangetown Police

The incident occurred around 2:05 a.m. when an SUV driven by Jude Donnelly, 33, of Blauvelt, lost control of his vehicle and drove into the home at 2 Sickletown Road, said Sgt. Kirk Vega.

The first officer on scene found the vehicle was hanging in the garage area of the home. The homeowner and the officer attempted to put out the fire that started under the car due to it hitting a gas main, Vega said.

As the fire continued to grow and consume the home, officers assisted in the evacuation of all four of the residents and got them a safe distance from the home, he added.

Officers also discovered that Donnelly had fled the scene.

The Pearl River Fire Department and Pearl River Ambulance with assistance from Nanuet, Orangeburg, West Nyack, Nyack, Tappan fire departments, along with firefighters from Montvale N.J. fire department and the Rockland County Technical Rescue Team, and Rockland Paramedic Services, all worked to douse the flames. 

Other agencies on the scene for assistance were Rockland County Bureau of Criminal Identification, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Orangetown Fire Inspector, Orangetown Building Department, and the Red Cross. 

Police were able to track down Donnelly who was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and various other traffic violations, Vega said. Additional charges may be pending.

No one was injured during the fire. 

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