TRR photo by Tom Kane Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the Hurd home in Damascus. (Click for larger image)

By TOM KANE

DAMASCUS - A five-alarm fire damaged a two-story home on Route 371 in Damascus last Thursday.

No one was injured but a family dog was overcome by smoke.

The home, owned by Ed and Mary Ronk of Westfield, NJ, is being rented by Allen and Laurie Hurd. The building stands between the Damascus School and the Damascus Post Office.

"The cause is undetermined," said Equinunk Fire Chief John Moss. "It started in the kitchen area."

Fire companies were alerted at 11:15 a.m. and were soon on the scene. Twenty-six firefighters assisted in the effort.

Damage was moderate but there was a lot of smoke damage, Moss said.

The companies responding were Equinunk, Beach Lake, Narrowsburg, Cochecton and Lake Huntington.