Heartbreak for New York corrections officer after his teenage children are killed in house fire while he was on duty

A New York Corrections Officer was on duty early Wednesday morning when a fire tore through his home, killing his teenage daughter and son.

Officer Gregory Toone was working the night shift when the blaze erupted at around 2.30am on Sherwood Road in Cortlandt Manor.

By the time firefighters arrived on the scene, they found heavy flames consuming the two-story house, ABC 7 reports.

An older son who slept downstairs was able to get his mother out, but teenagers Alina, 17, and Jeremiah, 15, were left upstairs in their bedrooms.

Firefighters then had to use ladders to reach the second story and break through the windows to reach the teenagers, according to Lohud. 

‘I had two members in one bedroom, two members in the next 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,’ Lake Mohegan Fire District Chief Thomas Eade said.

The teens received CPR at the scene, before they were transported to a local hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries. 

‘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.

‘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.