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A tragic house fire in Penn Yan claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left his grandmother hospitalized. The fire broke out on Friday morning (September 19) at their home on Cornwell Street. The boy, who has not been named, called 911 around 7:30 a.m. to report the fire. He woke up to find the house ablaze and attempted to alert his grandmother, Patricia Stenz, 78, before succumbing to the smoke and flames.
When emergency responders arrived, they found flames coming from the northeastern side of the house. Officers tried to enter but were forced back by the intense smoke and flames. The Penn Yan Fire Department, with assistance from Benton, Himrod, and Dundee Fire Departments, managed to rescue the boy and his grandmother from the home. Sadly, a dog also perished in the fire.
Both the boy and his grandmother were initially treated at a local hospital before being airlifted to Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. The boy died on Sunday (September 21) due to the injuries sustained in the fire, as reported by 13 WHAM.
The fire investigation team determined that the blaze started in the bottom of a refrigerator, near the wiring and compressor. The Penn Yan Police Department expressed their condolences, stating, "Everyone on scene did everything they could in an attempt to save the occupants." The community is mourning the loss, and support is being extended to the affected family.