The investigation into the fatal fire in Whitehall is ongoing

WHITEHALL, NY (NEWS10) – The scars of the tragedy are still visible even after removal at 5 Maple Street. A 10-year-old girl died in a fire here on Wednesday morning. The search for answers to the cause of this fire continued Thursday.

Around noon on Thursday, investigators continued searching the site where the inferno occurred on Wednesday morning. This was the house where young Aryonna Jobot lived, this was the house where she died. From a playset and pink chairs to a discarded cereal box, signs that a child lived here are everywhere on this charred property.

Despite suspicions from some people in the community, Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan warned people Wednesday not to jump to conclusions.

“Well, whenever there’s a death, you’re going to have an investigation done to find out exactly what happened,” Jordan said. “Out of an abundance of caution, this is where you see the forensic investigation unit,” Jordan added.

According to the Red Cross, ten residents were displaced from the apartment building as a result of the fire. A block away on Queen Street there is an old, craggy cross under which this monument is located. It was a tribute from the people of Grace Baptist Church.

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

Speaking of community support, the Whitehall Central School District released a statement saying, “Please know that the Whitehall School community will be here to support Airyonna’s family in any way we can. 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 it is offering grief counseling to help students cope with this difficult time.