Upstate New York house fire claims lives of dad, four daughters
By
Associated Press
Published
Feb. 15, 2019, 11:49 p.m. ET
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Four children and their father were killed in a fire that ripped through their northern New York home.
Hundreds of people gathered in Watertown for a vigil Friday night to Aaron Bodah and daughters Skylar, Erin, Alexa and Merissa.
The girls ranged in age from 4 to 14.
Investigators say it appears the fire started in the kitchen around 1:30 a.m. Thursday. They said pots were left on the electric stove and smoke detectors had no batteries.
A fifth daughter escaped and ran to neighbors for help. She was taken to a hospital. WWNY-TV reported Friday that she was back in Watertown.
Authorities say Aaron Bodah’s brother lived in the house and was at work when the fire started.
Mourners placed flowers at a makeshift memorial and released balloons.