Teens Killed in House Fire Honored at Community Vigil

Provided photo.

Hundreds of mourners gathered May 31 for a candlelight vigil at the remains of a housefire on Sherwood Road in Cortlandt Manor to honor and remember siblings Alina and Jeremiah Toone, who were killed May 27.

During the 2 a.m. fire, the teens were reportedly pulled from a second-story window, both pulseless and not breathing. Firefighters and EMS provided CPR at the scene before the two were transported to area hospitals. Alina was pronounced dead a few hours before her brother.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the fire sparked when a power strip connected to an extension cord in the dining room failed.

 Alina, 17, and Jeremiah, 15, were students at Putnam Valley High School. In an email to the community, Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Luft said time feels frozen since learning of the loss.

“I understand I am not alone in searching for the opportunity to fully grieve for our community and the Toone family,” he wrote. “Together, we are just beginning to find our way forward in the aftermath of such a heartbreaking tragedy.”