In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 3, Anne Ilkiw, Town of Montgomery animal control officer, lost her home on 192 Strawtown Road in New City to a devastating house fire.

Firefighters from the New City, Congers, Nanuet, West Haverstraw, Hillcrest and West Nyack Fire Departments responded to the scene shortly before 5:30 a.m. When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire inside the house, with flames already burning through the roof of the home. Ilkiw was able to escape the blaze before their arrival and the fire was contained as quickly as possible. New City Fire Chief Richard Willows confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Town of Clarkstown Police Department’s Detective Bureau.

When they arrived at Ilkiw’s house, the firefighters had to take extra time digging the nearby fire hydrant out of the snow before they could attach the hose. This did not cause any detrimental delay in extinguishing the fire, however the New City Fire Department asks that people clear snow from fire hydrants.

“We want to once again ask all our residents and business owners to clear fire hydrants on your property, or in your neighborhood, after any significant snowfall,” the New City Fire Department said on its Facebook page. “We cannot stress enough how important it is that responding firefighters have clear, fast access to a constant water supply during a working fire. Any delay or obstacle in completing that task could allow a fire to grow in size and intensity.”

The fire left the house unsalvageable. Ilkiw did not sustain any injuries in the blaze, however at least two of her cats died. Three of her other cats went to Valley Cottage Animal Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation.

Ilkiw has served as the town’s animal control officer for nearly 20 years, while assisting with animal calls for the villages of Walden, Maybrook and Montgomery.

“She commutes every day to come to work in the Town of Montgomery because she loves her job and cares about animals,” said Montgomery Town Supervisor Brian Maher.

The Town of Montgomery Police Benevolent Association is raising money on Ilkiw’s behalf. Donations can be made at a GoFundMe page set up by the PBA. As of Monday morning, $6,485 had been raised.

Ilkiw is staying in her apartment in Walden and is making the best out of these difficult circumstances.

“Anne has been upset naturally,” Maher said. “But she has really been feeling thankful to be part of a community that has supported her. Her friends have supported her both here in the Town of Montgomery and also in Rockland County. She’s received a lot of support and that’s certainly comforted her and allowed her to feel positively about that fact.”

“[I’m taking it] one day at a time...,” Ilkiw said. “I’m still in shock at the generosity of people. People who don’t even know me helped.”
Ilkiw went back to work on Tuesday for the first time since the fire.