A fire heavily damaged a home belonging to a well-known Jewish community activist today in Chestnut Ridge.

Fire officials say flames broke just before 10 a.m. at the 5,700-square foot house on Wannamaker Court. Fire departments from all over Rockland and even New Jersey responded, and it only took 20 minutes to put it out.

Officials say it began in the basement and spread to the first floor, but not to any of the rooms above that.

By the time first responders arrived, everyone was out of the building so no one, including firefighters got hurt, but there was one important rescue made. "Torahs you know, for prayers, we did remove those for safety. So, we're just doing overhaul making sure nothing else is left in there," says Monsey Fire Chief Andrew Schissel.

Fire inspectors and the arson unit are moving through the home, Chief Schissel says nothing seems suspicious at this time.