Several communities are grieving following the tragic loss of 17-year old Alina and her 15-year-old sibling Jeremiah Toone, Putnam Valley High School students who perished in a Cortlandt Manor house fire.
The fire, reportedly caused by an overloaded power strip, according to local media outlets, occurred at the family’s home on Sherwood Road at about 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27.
Lake Mohegan firefighters arrived on the scene to find intense flames erupting from the front of the home. Seven mutual aid fire departments, from as far as Scarsdale, joined the rescue attempt.
At the time of the fire’s start, four people were inside the residence. The teens’ mother and older brother were able to escape, but Alina and Jeremiah were unable to evacuate on their own. Firefighters attempted a ladder rescue from a second-floor window, but the siblings were unresponsive at that time, said Lake Mohegan Fire District Chief Thomas Eade.
Alina and Jeremiah were rushed to the hospital after being removed from the home, but shortly thereafter, succumbed to their fatal injuries.
Chief Eade shared, “We are mourning with our community. The fire department crew made a valiant effort to perform these rescues out of windows, perform CPR, get the people to [the] hospital to give them their best chance of survival. Finding out the graveness of the passing … hits home in our small community, and, you know, hurts, so we mourn with the family, we offer condolences.”
While their older brother was discharged from care, their mother remains hospitalized.
Their father, who was working at the time of the fire, is a Westchester County Corrections Officer.
District Attorney Susan Cacace shared her distress over the family’s loss and support for Mr. Toone in a statement later that day, calling the devastation “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
“I am heartbroken to learn of the tragedy affecting Westchester County Correction Officer Gregory Toone following a house fire this morning. 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,” Cacace shared.
Both Alina (11th grade) and Jeremiah (10th grade) were part of the Putnam Valley High School theatre, Alina an assistant stage crew manager and Jeremiah a former cast member.
Putnam Valley’s theatre group shared their sorrow and fond memories of the Toone siblings on Instagram: “Alina could light up any room. She was sunshine as a person, having the ability to make anyone smile with her charming personality… Jeremiah was the master of finding humor in any situation. He was an extremely funny person with the kindest heart.”
Echoes of this tragedy are far-reaching as Putnam Valley and Cortlandt residents and friends of the family attempt to come to terms with the unimaginable loss.
Town of Cortlandt Supervisor Dr. Richard Becker commented, “This is just a terrible tragedy for the deadly house fire that occurred in our town. We feel so sorry and sad for the family.”
“This loss hits especially close to home for the county family,” Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins shared, “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.”
A GoFundMe page has been created to support the family with funeral expenses, temporary housing, and other unforeseen costs. The page, started by Jessica Shannon of Cortlandt Manor, has a goal of $175,000. As of publication, more than $130,000 has been raised from over 1,400 contributors.
