NANUET, NY - An eight-unit apartment building was completely gutted in a three-alarm fire on September 3^rd after an apparent gas leak ignited.

At approximately 3:30 P.M., sub-contractors were working to install fiber optic lines next to Building 28 at the former Avalon Gardens complex in Nanuet. Apparently a gas line was struck and soon after the gas ignited, quickly enveloping the structure. The incident escalated to a third-alarm, bringing units from over 10 departments from Rockland County and Bergen County, N.J. Orange and Rockland Utility was summoned with a rush. The column of black smoke was visible from Paterson, N.J. and beyond. 

Several collapses occurred as multiple lines and three elevated master streams worked to hold the flames to the building of origin. Once the gas was secured, the flames decreased. No extension was reported to any exposure building. No serious injuries were reported. Departments providing mutual aid at the scene included South Spring Valley, West Nyack, Pearl River, New City, Tappan, Spring Valley, Sloatsburg, and Mahwah, N.J.