A New York corrections officer was on duty when a fire ripped through his Westchester County home, killing his two teenage children while they were asleep.
Gregory Toone, who has worked as a corrections officer for the past decade, was on the night shift when the blaze devastated the Cortlandt Manor home at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, WABC reported.
Toone’s daughter Alina, 17, and his son Jeremiah, 15, were pulled from a second-floor bedroom but tragically died in hospital.
“I had two members in one bedroom… they worked their tails off to get these individuals out from the ground ladder, out of the window onto the floor where they’re both found pulseless and not breathing,” Thomas Eade, the Lake Mohegan Fire District Chief, said.
Their mom Yenny Disla-Toone was scrambled to safety by an older teen, who lived downstairs, and was “screaming” to firefighters her kids were in the bedrooms when they arrived at the scene, according to the fire chief.
Investigators initially thought the blaze was accidental, but they now believe it was caused by an overloaded power strip, according to the Peekskill Herald.
Westchester County officials and the Toone’s neighbors were left horrified at what unfolded.
Ken Jenkins, the Westchester County Executive, described Toone as one of the county’s “most dedicated correction officers” and said the blaze was an “unimaginable tragedy.”
“Our hearts are broken and our entire correction family is mourning the loss of correction officer Toone’s children,” he said.
Meanwhile, Susan Cacace, the Westchester County District Attorney, branded the fire a “catastrophic incident,” adding it’s “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
“No mother or father deserves that,” neighbor Juan Guardino told News12.
Eleventh-grader Alina, and 10th-grader Jeremiah were both students at Putnam Valley High School and were part of the theater group. The school’s club has led the tributes to the teens.
“Alina Toone, an Assistant Stage Manager, could light up any room,” the group said on social media.
“She was sunshine as a person, having the ability to make anyone smile with her charming personality.
“She was also an extremely hardworking individual and will be deeply missed.
“Jeremiah Toone, a former cast member, was the master of finding humor in any situation.
“He was an extremely funny person with the kindest heart, always willing to bring a smile anywhere and anytime. The loss of Jeremiah will be sincerely felt.”
More than $190,000 has been donated to an fundraiser to support Toone’s family, while stuffed toys and flowers have been placed on the home’s front steps.
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