Mother And Two Children Hospitalized After Troy Apartment Fire

Three people—a mother and her two young children—are recovering from burn injuries after an early morning fire at the Griswold Heights Apartments in Troy on Sunday (March 1). According to WNYT, the fire broke out around 1:50 a.m. in Building 7 of the apartment complex, prompting a second alarm and drawing in multiple fire departments from nearby communities.

The victims include a woman in her twenties, a three-year-old, and a four-year-old. Troy Fire Chief Richard Cellucci said firefighters arrived within three minutes to find the apartment fully engulfed in flames. The mother reportedly took her children and fled out the back of their apartment, crossing a courtyard to safety, as described by Chief Cellucci in NEWS10 ABC's coverage.

All three were transported to Albany Medical Center for initial treatment. The mother and her three-year-old child were later airlifted to the burn unit at Westchester Medical Center with significant but non-life-threatening injuries, while the four-year-old remains at Albany Medical Center. As of Sunday afternoon, two of the victims were last listed in critical condition, according to the Times Union.

The fire rendered the apartment uninhabitable, leaving its interior gutted and the exterior marked by black soot. Neighboring buildings suffered only minor damage, and residents there have since been allowed to return. Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello expressed her concern, saying, "Right now, we're focused on their health and their recovery, and our thoughts and prayers go to them," as quoted by WNYT.

Support for the response came from Watervliet and Green Island fire departments, Town of Colonie EMS, Mohawk Ambulance Service, and state and national firefighter associations. Chief Cellucci noted that fires with injuries like this are rare in Troy, highlighting ongoing efforts in fire prevention.

Authorities say the fire does not appear suspicious, but the cause is still under investigation. The Troy Fire Department continues to look into the origins of the blaze.