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In Clay, New York, a tragic house fire claimed the lives of 33-year-old Obaid Noorzai and his three-year-old daughter, Gabeen, early Friday morning (December 18). The fire broke out around 2:40 a.m. on Nightingale Avenue in the Bayberry neighborhood. According to the Moyers Corners Fire Department, both victims were found during a search of the home and were overcome by smoke and fire. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Obaid Noorzai, originally from Afghanistan, served as an interpreter with U.S. forces before moving his family to the United States in 2023 for a safer life. A family friend, Omer Hazarbuz, organized a GoFundMe to support Noorzai's grieving wife and mother. Hazarbuz shared that Gabeen's name means "honey" in Pashto, reflecting her sweetness.
The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fatalities, and Public Information Officer Tom Newton expressed the community's sadness over the tragedy, especially during the holiday season. Fortunately, no firefighters or emergency crew members were injured in the incident, according to a Facebook post by the Moyers Corners Fire Department.
The GoFundMe page, which aims to raise $200,000, identifies the victims as being from Afghanistan and highlights the family's need for support during this difficult time. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Obaid and Gabeen Noorzai.