Three people were found dead after a fire consumed a home in the Otsego County town of Cherry Valley early on Thursday, April 2, according to the New York State Police. From the press release:
On April 2, 2015, The New York State Police in Richfield Springs, in conjunction with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Otsego County Emergency Management Team, are investigating a fatal residential fire that occurred at approximately 3:45 AM at 165 Hone Road in the Town of Cherry Valley, Otsego County. Three deceased subjects were located in the residence. Positive identification of the deceased subjects are pending autopsies and further investigation. Cherry Valley and Sharon Springs Fire Departments responded to the scene. The manner and cause of death are pending and the investigation is continuing.
4/3/15 update: The three killed were children, the Daily Star reports:
Karen Walker, parish life coordinator with St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Cherry Valley, said three children died in the fire.The parents of two of the children are parishioners Doris and Frank Sabler, Walker said, and the third child was a friend of one of the Sabler children ... The adults escaped and Frank Sabler was burned trying to rescue the children, Walker said.
4/6/15 update: The State Police have identified the victims:
The New York State Police and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control have concluded their preliminary investigation of the fatal house fire on Hone Road in the Town of Cherry Valley. The victims have been identified as Anthony Sabler, 13 years old, Gabrielle F. Sabler, 20 years old, and Ashley A. Tefft, 22 years old. All three deaths were ruled accidental, caused by asphyxia due to the inhalation of smoke and heated combustible material. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.
