Heavy smoke, flames and heat prevented immediate access by DPW workers and police who were near the scene at the time the blaze erupted. Firefighters quickly entered the house, but it was too late to save three children who were trapped inside. (Photo by Sharon Siegel)

By Sharon E. Siegel

HUGUENOT, NY – Three children lost their lives in a tragic fire in the Town of Deerpark, Huguenot, New York just before 8 a.m. on Monday. Workers outside the residence placed a call alerting Orange County’s 9-1-1 Center of what was reported as a structure fire at 106 Peenpack Trail with individuals trapped inside.   While a DPW crew and Deerpark police officers were near the location as the fire broke out, strong smoke, flames and heat kept them from reaching the upstairs bedrooms where the three children were trapped.

Huguenot Fire Department’s Chief T.J. Kalin, who was the first firefighter on scene, said he placed a second alarm before even leaving the driveway of his home.

“I was told by DPW workers that this was a confirmed structure fire, and I immediately placed the second alarm,” said an emotional Kalin.  “I have to commend the DPW guys, the two Town of Deerpark police officers, and some neighbors who tried their best to rescue the kids.  The flames were just too much for them, without equipment and gear.”

Upon arriving at the scene, Kalin said he immediately encountered heavy fire coming from the second story of the bi-level home.    He launched a fire interrupting technology grenade to suppress the flames and allow responding firefighters faster access to the structure.

“This device eliminated the flames and cooled the fire, to T.J.’s credit,” said Orange County Deputy Fire Coordinator (OC3) James Rohner.  “It kept the flames from spreading any further.”

Unfortunately, despite the swift efforts of multiple emergency units on the scene, it was Kalin who also soon located all three of the children deceased inside their bedrooms.

A New York State Police investigation confirmed what was reported by emergency personnel  who were on the scene.  NYSP’s investigation revealed that during the morning hours the owner of the residence, 44-year old Port Jervis High School teacher Caroline Dorritie, was awakened to noise coming from an upstairs bedroom wing of her house.  Upon checking the situation, she encountered a large amount of smoke and heat which prevented her from advancing further into the area where several children slept.  She exited the residence and enlisted the aid of town highway workers in the area.  The workers attempted to enter the upper story of the residence but were also unable to gain access.  As the fire progressed, the three children succumbed to smoke within the residence.

Cassandra Dorritie, age 12, and Devon Fahey, age 12, were in one bedroom.  Fahey, of Neversink Drive, was a seventh grader at the Port Jervis Middle School, as was Cassandra, and had spent the night at the residence.  Ten-year old Julia Dorritie was in a separate bedroom in the front of the house.  An older daughter, Courtney Dorritie, age 15, escaped the fire and injury by jumping from a third story rear bedroom window.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is pending.  NYSP, Town of Deerpark Police, firefighters, and cause-and-origin specialists are working toward a determination.  Preliminary indications, according to NYSP, are that the fire was likely accidental in nature and began in the hallway outside of the children’s bedrooms.  A candle had been burning in a hallway, although this has not been identified as the cause.

NYSP reported that firefighters from Huguenot, Westbrookville, Sparrowbush, Port Jervis, Cuddebackville, Lumberland, Milford, Otisville, and Summitville responded to assist at the scene.  Regional EMS, Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance, and multiple police responders also rendered aid on the scene.

As the fire scene remained roped off during most of the morning, Port Jervis School District administrators, teachers, and staff, along with students and their families gathered in groups along lawns and the roadside to offer support and mourn the suspected loss of three of the district’s students.

“Out of respect for the families, we will not release any information at this time, but send our deepest sympathy to all of those who are hurting from this terrible loss,” a statement released by Port Jervis School District expressed.

The district’s administration arranged to have counselors available at two schools Monday afternoon to provide support to its grieving school district community. Counselors were available at the Port Jervis High School cafeteria, beginning at noon, and at Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School, beginning at 1 p.m.

The district also activated its crisis intervention team, comprised of counselors from throughout the school district and Orange County.  Crisis counselors are to be available at all schools to provide grief counseling throughout the week.

Firefighters supported each other as did neighbors and others who learned of the tragic death of three children in Monday’s blaze. (Photo by Sharon Siegel)

Multiple Mutual Aid units assisted at the scene as did regional medical and police agencies. (Photo by Sharon Siegel)

Huguenot Fire Chief and Incident Command Officer T.J. Kalin, pictured in the foreground, located the bodies of all three children in the bedrooms of the upper story of the home. (Photo by Sharon Siegel)