Grandmother Zandra Artis and her six-year-old grandchild died Friday evening when a fire swept through their single-family home on Locust Park, CBS 6 Albany reported.
Emergency personnel arrived at the Colonie residence at approximately 5:24 p.m. to find an active blaze with multiple residents trapped inside, according to police. First responders attempted rescues, but the fire resulted in two fatalities.
Paramedics transported an additional injured person to Albany Medical Center Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities withheld the name of the six-year-old child out of respect for the family’s privacy.
“The investigation into the source and origin of this fire is on-going and the scene is being processed for evidence,” the Colonie Police Department said.
Investigators from multiple municipal and state agencies are examining the property to determine how the fire started. Locust Park remained closed to vehicle traffic for several hours during emergency operations before reopening.
The Colonie Police Department thanked the responding units assisting with the case, including NY State Fire, Town of Colonie Fire Services, the Colonie Village Fire Department, and the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.
The Colonie Police Department would like to thank all the various agencies that are assisting in this investigation including NY State Fire, Town of Colonie Fire Services, Colonie Village Fire Department, Albany County District Attorney’s Office and others.
Police asked witnesses and nearby residents to come forward with digital media or accounts that could aid the active inquiry. Anyone with eyewitness accounts or video surveillance should contact the Colonie Police Investigations Division at 518-783-2754.