Investigation into fatal Whitehall fire continues

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The scars of tragedy are still evident a day removed at 5 Maple Street. A 10-year-old girl perished in a fire here Wednesday morning. Thursday, the search for answers on what caused that fire continued. Around high noon Thursday investigators continued combing where the Wednesday morning inferno occured. This was the [...]

WHITEHALL, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The scars of tragedy are still evident a day removed at 5 Maple Street. A 10-year-old girl perished in a fire here Wednesday morning. Thursday, the search for answers on what caused that fire continued.

Around high noon Thursday investigators continued combing where the Wednesday morning inferno occured. This was the house where young Aryonna Jobot lived, this was the house where she died. From a play set and pink chairs, to a discarded cereal box, signs that a child lived here are all over this charred property. 

Despite suspicions from some people in the community Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan on Wednesday cautioned people against jumping to conclusions.

“Well whenever you have a fatality you're going to get an investigation to understand what it is that happened in particular” said Jordan. “Out of an abundance of caution that's why you see the forensic Investigation unit here” Jordan added.

Resulting from the fire the Red Cross says 10 residents have been displaced from the multi unit property. A block over on Queen street stands an old rugged cross, underneath which you’ll find this memorial. It was a tribute from the people of Grace Baptist church.

“Our congregation wanted to donate that memorial and we just, we love our community and we just wanted to show our support" said the church’s first lady Susan Gebo. “When that young girl took her last breath, I believe that she was ushered to heaven" Gebo continued. “No more suffering now” the former school district employee went on.

Speaking of community support, the Whitehall Central School District releasing a statement saying: "Please know that the Whitehall School Community will be here to support Airyonna's family in any way that they may need. It is also important that we come together as a community to support our student body and Staff as they cope with this terrible loss."

For the friends and classmates Airyonna left behind, the school district says they are offering grief counseling to help the students cope during this difficult time.