Three people were killed in a single-family house fire at 321 Cortland Rd. in Freeville in the town of Dryden, according to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims were identified as Christy M. Oralls, 30, Paisley M. Wood, 3, and Katherine F. Gray, 31.
Another resident and family member, David Welch, 54, was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and is in stable condition.
Welch rents the property with his wife, who was not home at the time of the fire, stated the sheriff’s office. The couple’s niece, Oralls, and her daughter, Paisley, resided with them. Another niece, Katherine Gray, was visiting the residence from Whitney Point.
Authorities also suspect that four dogs died in the fire as only one has been located at this time.
“We will continue to investigate the cause and origin of the fire with the help of NYS Fire Investigators,” said Tompkins County Sheriff Derek R. Osborne. “Our hearts are with the family, and everyone affected by this devastating fire. On behalf of the Sheriff’s Office, we extend our deepest condolences. This is a heartbreaking loss for our community.”
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a structure fire at about 10 a.m. on April 1 on the 300 block of Cortland Road. When they arrived, the home was “completely engulfed,” according to a press release.
The sheriff’s office said in a statement that it suspected occupants were unable to exit the home.
The fire was eventually extinguished by the Dryden Fire Department and other agencies.
The sheriff’s office was aided by the Dryden Fire Department and New York State Police.
(This story has been updated.)
This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Three killed in Dryden fire. Victims identified by Tompkins sheriff
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Ithaca Journal / Ithaca Journal
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