CORTLANDT MANOR – A 17-year-old Putnam Valley High School student, daughter of a Westchester County Corrections officer, died Wednesday after being admitted to the Westchester Medical Center suffering from massive burns received when she and her 15-year-old brother became trapped in their burning home in Cortlandt Manor.
Nine-one-one calls sent Mohegan firefighters to the inferno along Sherwood Road around 2:30 a.m. and when crews arrived and found the four-bedroom, 1,800 square foot home engulfed in flames, calls went out for mutual aid. Members of the Continental Village and Putnam Valley Fire Departments rushed to the scene along with Peekskill FD personnel and other agencies from northern Westchester.
Mohegan Lake Fire Chief Thomas Eade said due to the intense fire, responders could not enter through the front door, so firefighters used ladders to reach the second-floor windows and rescue the brother and sister, both of whom were in cardiac arrest.
The brother remains in critical condition at the Westchester Medical Center, authorities saidother people in the home were taken to Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Peekskill-Cortlandt with less serious injuries.
State Police have not named the victims, but Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins Wednesday afternoon said the victims were the family of 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,” said Jenkins.
Putnam Valley Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Luft also expressed sadness on behalf of the entire school community: “Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s family and loved ones during this incredibly challenging time,” he said.
The school district activated the regional crisis response team and is working in partnership with the Putnam County Department of Social Services and Mental Health. Clinical staff has been available throughout the district to support students and staff.
“As a district, we are committed to supporting our school community in every way possible as we process this heartbreaking loss together.
Our thoughts are with the family affected by this devastating tragedy, all those who have personal connections to the family, and the courageous first responders who arrived on scene and provided care.”
Chief Eade said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it was believed to have been caused by an overloaded power strip that ignited and spread flames throughout the home.
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