Four people, including a five-year-old girl, have been killed in a fire at a horror house in upstate New York
Four people, including a five-year-old girl, have died in a horrific house fire in upstate New York.
Firefighters rushed to a home in Voorheesville, Albany, in the early hours of Saturday after a desperate 911 call from a woman trapped inside the property.
Despite rushing to the property, four people, including five-year-old Emily Thorne, died at the scene.
Mother Michelle Thorne paid tribute to her daughter and others who died in the fire, posting on Facebook: “So many of you have reached out to see if you are okay. My son is physically fine.
No words can describe the pain of losing a daughter/sister, a child’s father/his father and a loving uncle.
Michelle, left, has described her daughter Emily, center, as her ‘sweet and sassy little girl’
Emergency services are at work on Saturday after the fire at the deadly house fire
Mother Michelle shared a tribute to her young daughter who died in the fire and to those who also died
“Unfortunately, my son had a horrific experience this morning when he had no choice but to flee his home by jumping out of his bedroom window.
“It is with great sadness that we have lost the most amazing people in this world. My beautiful little girl, mommy and bubby will miss you more than words can express, you were always my sweet and sassy little girl.
“Dale, we will always remember you wrestling and good old Undertaker and listening to Mariah Carey.
‘Aj was a wonderful man who was a wonderful father to two wonderful children! He left too early.
“I will miss him and his son forever more than anyone will ever really know!”
In addition to Emily, her father Arthur Neander, also known as AJ, died in the fire, as did his girlfriend Becky Monterosso and Emily’s grandfather Dale.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said so news10 that a woman in the house called 911 and said she was trapped in a room with Emily, with an air conditioner blocking the window.
He said, “She didn’t know where the other occupants of the house were. But she had a young child with her in her room.
Emily had died in the fire along with her father Arthur Neander, also known as AJ
Becky Monterosso, Neander’s partner, is said to have his escape blocked by an AC unit
Dale Neander, 64, was one of four people killed in a house fire in Voorheesville, New York
The roof of the house was badly damaged in the deadly fire on Saturday
This morning, rescue crews continued to fight the blaze in Albany, New York State
“The dispatcher tried everything she could to help her and help her get out. She couldn’t leave the room because of an air conditioner on the window.’
“It’s a horrible scene. I feel terrible for the family, the neighbors. ‘
A dispatcher tried to help the woman and child out of the burning house, but was unsuccessful. When firefighters arrived, the fire had already engulfed the house.
Investigators say they believe they know where the fire started, but have been unable to enter the gutted house to confirm.
A GoFundMe page has since been set up for the family of the deceased, to help pay for funeral expenses.
A fundraiser has now also been set up to help Michelle with funeral costs
Despite rescue crews arriving on the scene, Emily died in the blaze that started Saturday morning
Police had received a desperate 911 call from a woman trapped at the property by an AC unit who said she was with a young child
It read, “Michelle is a wonderful, sweet young woman and will need help with funeral expenses, as well as getting other medical services and replacement items for her child.
“Every cent raised will go to this young woman and her family. I can’t say any more – we can all imagine how devastating this must be.’
As of Saturday evening, the fundraiser had received more than $1,600 with a goal of $5,000.
Tributes have also been paid to Emily as news of the deaths in the fire was shared by officials.
One woman, Melanie Partak, said, “My sweet, sweet girl Emily. AJ, Emily, Dale… my heart is broken.
“I’ll never forget the sinking feeling I had when I asked the fire department if you were okay. He gave me the worst answer. I will miss you all. Especially my sweet girl.’
A tribute was also paid to Monterosso, who said: ‘This morning my husband’s cousin tragically lost her life. It is with great sadness and disbelief.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the rest of our family. Becky Monterosso you will be missed, you were taken from us much too soon.’