A 15-year-old boy has died, New York State Police said, following an overnight electrical fire in Cortlandt Manor that also claimed the life of his 17-year-old sister.
The fire broke out around 2 a.m. Wednesday at a home on Sherwood Road after a power strip connected to an extension cord failed, according to Mohegan Lake Fire Chief Thomas Eade.
First responders made urgent efforts to rescue the four people inside the home, including the two teenagers. Eade said a neighbor brought over a ladder before firefighters arrived and helped the mother to safety. The mother was outside the home when crews arrived. Responding firefighters found both doors blocked by fire but were able to reach occupants through windows.
The two teenagers were both students at Putnam Valley High School and were pulled from the home in critical condition with severe burns covering about 40 to 50 percent of their bodies. CPR was immediately started at the scene as first responders worked to save them.
News12 Westchester reported that the Putnam Valley School District immediately brought in crisis response teams to support students and staff coping with the devastating loss.
The investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing, according to state police.
Authorities have not released the names of the victims, but Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said in a statement Wednesday afternoon that they are the children of Westchester County Correction Officer Gregory Toone.
“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 in the statement.
He added that "our hearts are with Officer Toone, his family, loved ones and everyone grieving this unimaginable loss. We are also praying for the recovery of the surviving victims and for strength for the entire family in the difficult days ahead."
He shared gratitude for the first responders and said Westchester County stands with the family during this tragic and unimaginable loss.
“There are simply no words that can ease the pain of losing a child," Jenkins said. "Westchester County stands united in support of the Toone family and the Cortlandt community during this incredibly painful time."
Other elected leaders, including State Sen. Pete Harckham and Rep. Mike Lawler, issued similar statements expressing condolences and praising first responders.
"My heartfelt condolences go out to Officer Gregory Toone and his family during this profoundly tragic time," Harckham wrote in a post on social media. "I am praying for the full recovery of the surviving family members and keeping all those affected in my thoughts."
Lawler said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a Cortlandt Manor teen” and shared “thoughts and prayers” with the family and the surrounding community.
The fire escalated to a third alarm, drawing mutual aid from seven departments, including agencies from the Lake Mohegan area. Members of the City of Peekskill Fire Department assisted in extricating the teenage boy. Five EMS agencies also responded.
The mother was injured but is expected to recover. Another adult son who lived in the lower level of the home suffered minor injuries and has since been released from the hospital, Eade said. One firefighter was taken to the hospital for exhaustion and has since been released and is resting.
The family’s dog was also killed in the fire.
Though the scenario is tragic, Eade said “the actions that were taken this morning were nothing short of heroic .”
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