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More information has emerged about the devastating fire in Dryden that claimed the lives of three people on Wednesday (April 1). Firefighters arrived at the scene on Route 13 to find the house engulfed in flames, fueled by strong winds. The conditions were so severe that crews had to evacuate and battle the blaze from outside, according to the Dryden Fire Department.
The fire tragically resulted in the deaths of Christy Oralls, 30, her three-year-old daughter Paisley Wood, and their relative Katherine Gray, 31. The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the victims' identities. A fourth resident, 54-year-old David Welch, managed to escape and is in stable condition at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. Welch, who rents the home with his wife, was the uncle to Oralls and Gray.
The fire prompted a significant response from over 10 fire departments and various emergency services. The blaze closed Route 13 between Dutcher Road and Gulf Hill Road throughout the day. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Sheriff Derek Osborne expressed his condolences, stating, "Our hearts are with the family, and everyone affected by this devastating fire."
Authorities suspect that four dogs also perished in the fire, though only one has been found. The community is mourning the loss, and the investigation continues to determine the cause and origin of the fire.