Two teenagers died and two other people were hospitalized after a house fire early Wednesday morning in Cortlandt Manor in Westchester County, officials said.
New York State Police said a 17-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy suffered life-threatening injuries in the fire.
The girl later died at the hospital, and state police later confirmed the boy also succumbed to his injuries.
Here’s what we know so far.
Fire broke out early Wednesday morning
New York State Police said troopers in Cortlandt were dispatched around 2:27 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, to a home on Sherwood Road in the Town of Cortlandt for a report of a residential structure fire.When firefighters arrived, flames were coming from the front door and front window of the home, Mohegan Lake Fire Chief Thomas Eade said.
A mother and another occupant had escaped before crews arrived and told firefighters that two teenagers were trapped in upstairs bedrooms.
Firefighters rescued two teenagers from second floor
Eade said firefighters used ground ladders to reach the second-floor windows, broke the windows to enter the bedrooms and carried the teenagers down the ladders.
“These actions were done with the immediate first couple people on scene,” Eade said. “Nothing short of heroic.”
Both teenagers were in cardiac arrest when they were rescued, Eade said. Firefighters and Mohegan EMS performed CPR at the scene.
The teenagers were transported to local hospitals with life-threatening injuries, according to state police.
Two teenagers later died from injuries
Eade said earlier Wednesday that the 17-year-old girl died after being transported to Westchester Medical Center.In an updated statement Wednesday, New York State Police confirmed that the 15-year-old boy also died from his injuries.
“The investigation remains ongoing,” state police said.
Other occupants, firefighter also treated
The two other occupants who escaped before firefighters arrived were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening smoke inhalation injuries, Eade said.
One firefighter was treated at a local hospital for exhaustion and later released to recover at home.Investigators say fire appears accidental
Eade said the fire escalated to three alarms and required assistance from multiple agencies, including firefighters from the City of Peekskill.
The Westchester County Cause and Origin Team conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the fire appeared to be accidental and electrical in nature.
Investigators believe the fire may have started from a power strip and extension cord in the rear dining room of the home.
County executive identifies family connection
Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or other residents of the home.
However, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins issued a statement Wednesday identifying the father of the children involved in the fire as Gregory Toone, a Westchester County corrections officer.
“On behalf of Westchester County, I want to express our profound sorrow and deepest condolences to the Toone family and all those impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy in Cortlandt Manor,” Jenkins said.
“There are simply no words that can ease the pain of losing a child,” Jenkins added. “Westchester County stands united in support of the Toone family and the Cortlandt community during this incredibly painful time.”
School district offers support services
Putnam Valley Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Luft said in a message to families that one of the district’s students died in the fire.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic news that one of our students died as a result of the house fire last night,” Luft wrote.
The district said it activated a regional crisis response team and is working with Putnam County social services and mental health officials to provide support for students and staff.
The high school also planned to remain open beyond the regular school day Wednesday for anyone needing additional support.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Fatal fire that killed teen girl in Cortlandt Manor: What we know now
Reporting by Madison Scott, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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