Six family members, including three children, have sadly lost their lives in a swift fire that destroyed a home in northern New York, officials reported, per the New York Post. High winds fueled the blaze late Monday. 

State and county fire officials are investigating the fire’s cause, believing it began in the kitchen. A family member identified the victims, including Diana Avery and a couple, Diana and Thomas Bowen, along with their children. The relative revealed that Avery was the homeowner and his mother while Thomas was his brother. 

The relative, Joseph Bowen said, “[Thomas Bowen] was a jack-of-all-trades and his wife was the keeper of the children… They loved camping. They loved to go to the beach and they loved playing in water.”

The family expressed gratitude in a statement to community members, emergency responders, as well as the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe for their support during this tough time for them. 

“Although our hearts are saddened and mourn for the loss of our family members, it is uplifting to hear how our family has touched and uplifted this community…Like this tragedy, words cannot express how this affects the community they had and the coming together of the community,” said the family. 

#Clique, what are your thoughts?