Residents react with shock to four fire deaths
By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-HeraldArticle Photos
WELLS - Local officials responded with shock and disbelief at the deadly blaze that killed four developmentally disabled people at a group home here early Saturday.
"You don't get calls like this every day," said Wells Fire Department Chief Bernie Moldt. "It's shocking."
Moldt, who said he has been with the department for 26 years, said Wells has not had a fatal fire since 1982.
State police trooper Russell Dennie said he responds to many fire scenes but is still affected by the tragedy of a fatal fire. Dennie was on the scene at 1534 State Route 30 Saturday afternoon.
"It's difficult responding to a scene like this, but it has to be a lot more difficult for the people of this community," he said.
Two of the four dead were found in the home, which was run by the Sunmount Developmental Disabilities Services Office, a division of the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The other two died en route to Albany Medical Center Hospital. A fifth resident is in stable condition in St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica, according to OMRDD officials.
Four other residents and two aides escaped relatively unscathed, officials said. The aides and one resident were being treated at Nathan Littauer Hospital for non-life- threatening injuries, officials said.
State Sen. Elizabeth O'Connor Little of the 45th District, which includes Hamilton County, was on the scene Saturday.
"It's just so tragic to lose four lives," she said. "It was a massive fire. The building was brand new."
The home was built in May. The residents arrived in June, Little said.
OMRDD Commissioner Diana Jones Ritter arrived on the scene after being flown in by a helicopter. She said she will be updating Gov. David Paterson as to the progress of the investigation.
State police officials said it would likely take days, if not weeks, to determine a cause, though a press release from the state Civil Liberties Union said the fire is believed to have been electrical.
"This is just an absolute horror," Ritter said. "The staff and residents here are like family. The aides for these residents are with them daily; they are like family to each other."
Hamilton County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Farber also was on the scene. He said a loss such as the one Wells experienced Saturday morning can shake a small town to its core.
"It's especially hard hitting for small Adirondack towns like Wells," he said. "People here know each other. Everyone knows everyone. It's a horrible circumstance, and our hearts go out to the families and friends [of the dead]."
Wells Supervisor Brian Towers, who also is a volunteer firefighter, was one of the first officials on the scene Saturday morning.
He said when he arrived, one side of the home was engulfed and the blaze was quickly spreading to the other side of the building.
"It was clear when we arrived that no one would be able to get into the building," he said.
Towers said there was a tremendous amount of support from local fire departments. Officials from departments in Wells, Lake Pleasant, Northville, Hope and Speculator responded, he said.
"It's just a sad day here," he said.
Kayleigh Karutis can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com.
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juniebugg
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03-24-09 9:10 AM
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I am shocked that everyone has to look at what investigations are going on, what wasn't working, and who didn't do what. Can't we look past all that and look at the actual tragedy? We should be commending the heroic efforts of the two staff and all the volunteers who risked their lives to try to save these people who couldn't save themselves. Had people not acted so quickly, things could have been alot worse. My heart goes out to the people who are effected by this. And many thanks for all who made such tremendous efforts in saving the 5 survivors.
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MAMADUKE
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03-24-09 2:22 AM
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For heaven sake lizzie, what is your issue. lives were lost and people are in pain. how can you be so insensitive?
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RobinWentworth
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03-23-09 7:32 AM
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This is a horrible tragedy no matter how you look at it. I too worked in an IRA for Lexington a number of years ago and there are a number of Willowbrook class clients there also. The house I worked at had someone living there who had been at Willowbrook. The fact remains that direct care jobs are very difficult and the staff who risked their own lives and safety to assist everyone to get out safely truly are heroes. You certainly have my respect and praise. You are in my thoughts and prayers. It is very unfortunate that most of the agency(s) only schedule 2 awake night staff to assist non-ambulatory, blind, or otherwise disabled people. The plan should always be to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
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seasonal
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03-22-09 10:37 PM
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First, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families, staff and community. The staff that were present are heroes, they put their lives on the line to protect individuals that could not protect themselves. I only wish I could be there and give each one a hug and a shoulder to lean on. And to do so for everyone involved.I'm out of state at present. I have worked with this staff for years and also cared for the deceased consumers.It is a terrible tragedy, but I hope they can find comfort in knowing so many care.
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Bruce09
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03-22-09 10:15 PM
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My husband works at an IRA in Herkimer County and he said that the Willowbrook patients are to be taken care of -just as Robin stated. I think that unless there is a tragedy such as this, nothing gets done about some items. Such as, 1 (one) staff on overnights in a 12 bed house- how would 1 person get all 12 out? You tell me and then the mental state of that person afterwards ? Herkimer County DSO has only 1 staff on overnights- how pathetic is that? Bugdet cuts until there is loss of life.
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lizzie
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03-22-09 9:53 PM
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Thanks Robin. That tells me that if there weren't former Willowbrook residents in that house, there would be only local attention.
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gjfuller
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03-22-09 9:27 PM
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I used to work for a IRA. I know how the staff have to feel right know. The whole town of Wells is upset is our hearts and prayers are to the Staff and families involved. God Bless.
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RobinWentworth
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03-22-09 9:05 PM
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Willowbrook class clients are to be protected by the state of NY for as long as they live due to the class action suit brought against the state of NY in 1972 for the autrocities suffered at Willowbrook. Many of these people have no family members to advocate for them and have court appointed advocates. Not only are they protected in the class action suit by having placement in the least restrictive environment, they are followed by the state to ensure their continued safety.
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lizzie
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03-22-09 7:24 PM
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AdirondackChick, I believe you. Having said that, perhaps you could explain why this has gotten national coverage? CNN, Yahoo, all three NYC newspapers. Somehow I doubt a fire at one of Lexington's or Liberty's homes would garner that kind of attention. My thoughts and prayers are with those families affected. However, I still think the magnitude of attention is out of the ordinary. Not to downplay the atrocities, but Willowbrook was 30+ years ago.
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corky101
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03-22-09 6:06 PM
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I just want to commend the two staff who were on duty for their heroic and brave efforts! I know and work with them and all the others at this home. We are all still in shock but any one reading this would not believe how this community of Sunmount staff and the people of Wells and surrounding towns rushed to help as soon as possible! It's futile at this point to place blame...accidents happen..usually for a reason that only God knows. The home passed inspection for it to open. If fault is to be placed...it will be dealt with I'm sure. I agree that more people should be on the overnight shift and maybe it takes a tragedy such as this to force the state to increase minimum staffing.
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AdirondackChick
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03-22-09 3:23 PM
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Lizzie, yes, if this was Lexington, the state would have been called in and involved. Especially if it was a home where Willowbrook individuals lived. And yes, the Governor would be updated as well. When you work in an agency like Lexington, Liberty, any county ARC, or for the State, when tragedy strikes, we unite, investigate, impose new rules and regulations to safeguard from this happening again. Right now lets just remember the people who lost their lives and keep everyone in prayer.
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TEricC
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03-22-09 11:01 AM
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Such a horrible tragedy, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. I work with this population. And everyone should indeed call for an investigation, contrary to knickmans ignorant comment. The causes, staffing, and emergency procedures should be investigated by an objective third party. Knickman, how could it be "so stupid" for an agency that advocates for peoples rights to call for an investigation? Besides, automatically assuming that the state will impartially investigate itself is certainly stupid. BTW, nowhere in the article is there any quotation or paraphrase attributable to the NYCLU actually calling for an investigation, so you misquoted them. It's pretty obvious who the stupid one is. You used the death of developmentally disabled to slander an organization that advocated for them. Your misinformed agenda is totally transparent, without credibility and your time has passed, thank God. Peace and solace to the staff and victims, you are in
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lizzie
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03-22-09 10:22 AM
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A state official flown in by helicopter? Is that normal procedure? The Governor being updated? Who are the families of these folks? I can't imagine if this were one of Lexington's houses, that state officials would be so involved. A tragedy for sure. Condolences to the families. Whatever the cause, let's hope they learn enough to prevent it from happening again.
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native
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03-22-09 9:36 AM
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Here we go again yet another senseless tragedy that could have been averted; were there functional smoke and fire alarms and who is the responsible person for electrical inspections on the building ?
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