Tragedy struck early Wednesday morning when a fire engulfed the home of a New York Corrections Officer, resulting in the loss of his teenage son and daughter.
Officer Gregory Toone was on the night shift when the fire ignited around 2:30 a.m. on Sherwood Road in Cortlandt Manor.
Upon arrival, firefighters encountered intense flames consuming the two-story residence, according to a report from ABC 7.
The couple’s older son, who was sleeping downstairs, managed to rescue his mother, but their children, 17-year-old Alina and 15-year-old Jeremiah, were trapped upstairs in their bedrooms.
Firefighters had to use ladders to access the second floor and break through windows to reach the trapped teenagers, as reported by Lohud.
“We had two team members in each bedroom, and they worked tirelessly to bring the individuals out through the windows,” stated Lake Mohegan Fire District Chief Thomas Eade. However, both teenagers were found without a pulse and not breathing.
The teens received CPR at the scene, before they were transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
Officer Gregory Toone was working the night shift when a fire tore through his house, killing his teenage children Alina, 17, and Jeremiah, 15
By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, they found heavy flames consuming the two-story house
Firefighters had to use ladders to reach the second story and break through the windows to reach the teenagers
‘CPR was immediately initiated,’ Eade told NBC New York. ‘That was challenging, because there was fire being blown from three floors of the house and now two patients in cardiac arrest.
‘Our crews did a valiant effort to CPR resuscitation efforts,’ he continued. ‘The patients were subsequently transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital. Pulses were brought back. And what we have learned throughout the day is that one teenage female passed as a result of her injuries.’
Jeremiah was also pronounced dead hours later.
Their mother, Yenny, was also rushed to the hospital in stable condition, and their older brother was discharged after recovering, according to News 12 Westchester.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is now ongoing, but officials say it looks like it was sparked by an overloaded extension cord or power strip.
In a statement, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace said she was ‘heartbroken to learn of the tragedy affecting Westchester County Correction Officer Gregory Toone following a house fire this morning.
‘This catastrophic incident is every parent’s worst nightmare,’ she continued.
Alina, 17, and Jeremiah, 15, were pronounced dead at the hospital, while their mother was listed in stable condition
Flowers and stuffed animals were left on the family’s burnt out porch in the aftermath
‘Mr Toone and his family remain in our thoughts during this extremely difficult time and I pray for the recovery of his beloved wife, Yenny. Our extended law enforcement family will be here for them in any way they need.’
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins also said the ‘loss hits especially close to home for the County family, as the father of the children involved is one of our own, Westchester County Correction Officer Gregory Toone.
‘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.’
An online fundraiser has now been set up to help the family.
‘No family should ever have to endure this kind of pain and loss,’ it reads.
‘As Officer Toone and his loved ones begin to face the difficult days ahead, we are asking for the community’s support to help ease the financial burden of funeral expenses, temporary housing and other unforeseen costs during this heartbreaking time.’
It had already raised nearly $190,000 as of Sunday night, while flowers and stuffed animals were left on the family’s burnt-out porch.
