11am 10/13/10 update: Delaware County Emergency Services has just issued a press release detailing the cause of yesterday's deadly fire: "an accidental electrical shortage" in a power cord that was placed under the kitchen stove. Here's the press release:
The fire yesterday morning at 17069 State Highway 23 in the Town of Davenport that claimed the lives of Marcus and Deborah Tooley has been ruled as accidental by investigators. Fire investigators from Delaware County, New York State Police and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control concluded that the fire was caused by an accidental electrical shortage in the power cord under the kitchen stove. Autopsies were performed Tuesday afternoon at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton where it was determined that the couple died of smoke inhalation while trying to escape the fire. The couples two nephews escaped the fire unharmed and are currently staying with relatives.
The Daily Star has a full front-page story on the fire today, with detailed interviews with neighbors and fire officials. One new detail in the story is that Marcus Tooley kept highly flammable oxygen tanks in the house to treat his diabetes:
Marcus was on oxygen, and several tanks exploded during the blaze, which may have been a factor in the situation, Utter said. Several people said he had diabetes for a long time.
8:25am 10/13/10 update: The State Police have determined that the cause of death for both victims was smoke inhalation. From a State Police press release:
Post mortem examinations conducted at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, N.Y. determined the cause of death for both decedents was smoke inhalation.
5:11pm update: The Daily Star and Your News Now are now following the story, and WBNG has updated its coverage. The Daily Star has some fresh details:
Davenport Fire chief Fred Utter said his department responded within minutes after the blaze was reported at 4:23 a.m., said Davenport Fire Chief Fred Utter. There was “nothing but fire,” with flames about 20 feet high, he said. Eighteen-year-old George Buzie and a 16-year-old brother, whose name was not released because of his age, escaped and were staying with relatives, Moore said. The couple had 10 Boston terriers, a Siberian husky and two birds that died in the fire, a friend said.
2:50pm update: Delaware County Emergency Services just issued an updated press release:
At approximately 04:30 this morning, October 12, 2010, the Davenport Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a mobile home at 17069 State Highway 23 in the Town of Davenport. As a result of this fire there have been two confirmed fatalities: one male and one female occupant of the home. The deceased have been identified as Marcus L. Tooley, Age 30 and his wife, Deborah L. Tooley, Age 38. The couple’s teenaged nephews that were living at the residence escaped the fire uninjured. Several pets in the home perished in the fire as well. The on-scene portion of the fire investigation has been completed by Delaware County and New York State Fire Investigators. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. Further information is expected to be released as it becomes available and pending the outcome of autopsies.
2:38pm update: We just spoke with Delaware County Emergency Services. the victims have been identified. They are 30-year-old Marcus Tooley and his wife, 38-year-old Deborah Tooley. Their nephews, who were staying with the couple in the mobile home, escaped the blaze and have survived. Stay tuned for updates. WBNG Channel 12 in Binghamton has photos of the burned-out trailer on its website.
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This just in from a press release from Delaware County Emergency Services: A mobile home fire in the wee hours of the morning killed a man and a woman in Davenport today. The mobile home was located on Rte. 23. The names of the victims are being withheld at this time pending an investigation. Here's the press release in full:
At approximately 04:30 this morning, October 12, 2010, the Davenport Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a mobile home at 17069 State Highway 23 in the Town of Davenport. As a result of this fire there have been two confirmed fatalities: one male and one female occupant of the home. The names and ages of the victims are being withheld at this time. The investigation is currently ongoing with the following agencies working in cooperation with each other: the local fire service including Davenport Fire Department; Delaware County Department of Emergency Services; New York State Police and New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. More information in regards to this fatal fire is expected to be released later today.
