Investigators initially believed the fire may have been accidental and electrical in nature. Authorities later determined the blaze was caused by an electrical issue involving a power strip. According to reports, the fire escalated to three alarms and required assistance from multiple agencies, including from the City of Peekskill. 

As the community mourns the loss of the two teenagers, local fire officials are urging residents to pay closer attention to electrical safety inside their homes.

Peekskill Fire Chief James Seymour IV said one of the most important precautions homeowners can take is ensuring that extension cords and power strips carry a UL certification label from Underwriters Laboratories, indicating the product has been tested for safety.

“What you find a lot of times if you just go on to Amazon and you look for the cheapest device that’s out there,” Seymour said, “they’re not always rated, and they’re not always tested.”

Seymour warned that improperly used extension cords can overheat and become dangerous, especially when placed under furniture or carpeting where wires may become pinched and deteriorate over time.

“You want to keep it free from being caught under any furniture where that wire could pinch, break down and eventually overheat and cause a fire,” he said.

He also cautioned against overloading power strips or connecting multiple extension cords together — a common practice during the holiday season.

“You don’t run a cord off of a cord off of a cord,” Seymour said. “Whenever possible, you want to try and limit the use of extension cords.”

For homes with older electrical systems and limited outlets, Seymour acknowledged that extension cords are sometimes unavoidable. In those cases, he emphasized the importance of using cords properly rated for the appliances they support.

Beyond the fire safety concerns, Seymour reflected on the emotional toll tragedies like the Cortlandt Manor fire take on first responders.

“That’s the situation that is taught and talked about in every single fire academy,” he said. “It’s the situation that you hope you never find yourself in, but certainly you try and prepare yourself for.”

Seymour said the thoughts of the Peekskill Fire Department remain with both the Toone family and the firefighters who responded that night.

“Our hearts here in the City of Peekskill go out certainly to the family and the friends of those affected,” he said, “but certainly our thoughts are with the men and women of the Lake Mohegan Fire District as well.”