The East Palmyra Fire Department was dispatched to 1569 East Palmyra-Port Gibson Road around 2:53 a.m. on Tuesday for a reported structure fire.
According to Sheriff Barry Virts, firefighters found a home fully-involved upon arrival. The fire department was assisted by units from Port Gibson, Palmyra, Newark, and Marion – along with ambulances from Finger Lakes Ambulance and Port Gibson.
Additional assistance was provided by the Wayne County Highway and Fire Coordinators offices, according to deputies.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time, and an investigation team has been dispatched to the address.
Virts reports that one person, 84-year-old Dorothy Bouwens died at the scene. Ginger Sullivan, 50, and her grandson – were both transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment. Both remained hospitalized as of 3 p.m. Gerald Sullivan suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
All four residents of the home were asleep at the time of the fire, and were reportedly awoken by the barking of the family’s dog.
Original Report
A structure fire in Palmyra destroyed a home during the early-morning hours on Tuesday.
It’s unclear what sparked the blaze, but crews from around Wayne County responded to the scene.
The home appeared to be a single-family residence, according to those on-scene. The Red Cross was also reportedly on-scene, as well — along with Palmyra and Port Gibson fire departments.
.@13WHAM at fire scene on Port Gibson in Palmyra. My colleague John McClintock was on scene at 3:20 and saw ambulance leaving scene with lights flashing. Waiting to hear from fire chief. pic.twitter.com/j1lPgaYuUc
— Doug Emblidge (@dougemblidge) May 1, 2018
The fire was on East Palmyra Port Gibson Road in the Town of Palmyra.
Firefighters say an ambulance left the scene shortly after crews arrived, but could not confirm if there were any injuries.
Altogether, four people were in the house at the time of the fire. While initial reports indicated that all four escaped, and only one was seriously injured — officials say that an 84-year-old died as result of the fire. Three individuals were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries.
A resident of the house tells media that a family dog is credited with alerting them that the house was on fire. The pit bull woke those who were inside the home, allowing them enough time to escape before the fire consumed the home.
An investigation team was called to the scene.
.@13WHAM Live update from Palmyra fire scene at 5:30 pic.twitter.com/xR5mh0x75C
— Doug Emblidge (@dougemblidge) May 1, 2018
Neighbors tell us the fire in Palmyra on E. Palmyra Port Gibson Road was deadly. One guy we talked to says he knew the woman who died. Waiting for confirmation from the East Palmyra FD. Tune into @News_8 during CBS This Morning for an update. pic.twitter.com/5DnoRcBozF
— Elijah Westbrook (@elijahwestbrook) May 1, 2018
This man lives at Palmyra home destroyed in fire this morning. His mother-in-law Dorothy Bowens was killed. He says his dog saved other family members who managed to escape @news10nbc three of them taken to hospital pic.twitter.com/3sE5BVH1CM
— Brennan Somers (@Brennan_Somers) May 1, 2018
Scene of house fire in East Palmyra this morning. No word on cause/injuries. Live reports coming up throughout @news10nbc Today pic.twitter.com/fzywDJD8NH
— Brennan Somers (@WHEC_BSomers) May 1, 2018
