Heartbreak in Broome County: Toddler Dies in Fire, GoFundMe Launched

On Monday, August 25 at about 12:47 p.m., New York State Police and the Broome County Sheriff’s Department responded to a devastating house fire at a home in Chenango. What began as a normal afternoon quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.

A Mother’s Brave Fight

Inside the burning home, a 26 year old mother fought through thick smoke to get her three children to safety. She was able to save her five-year-old and two-year-old, but when it came to reaching her one-year-old baby, the smoke and flames were too overwhelming. Her desperate attempts fell short, leaving her little one trapped inside.

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First Responders Push Through Flames

Troopers and deputies arrived within minutes and didn’t hesitate. According to WBNG, they went in through a window to reach the baby, pulling the child out as smoke filled the air. The toddler was rushed to Upstate Medical Center, but despite every effort, the little one did not survive.

A Community Searching for Answers

Investigators from the New York State Police and Broome County Fire Department are working together to determine the cause of the fire. While those answers may come in time, they will never fill the hole left in this family’s heart.

A Family Left With Nothing

This fire didn’t just take a life, it took everything. The home was destroyed, along with all of the belongings inside. In a GoFundMe created by the baby’s grandmother, Susan Pilipovic, she shared how her son Justin and his family lost their house, their possessions, and most painfully, their sweet one-year-old boy.

Remembering Baby Sammy

Susan described her grandson, Sammy, as “an amazing, fun, playful baby” whose smile lit up the room. He leaves behind his mother, Ashley, his father, Justin, his five-year-old sister Lizzy, and his two-year-old brother Adrien. For them, the fire has forever changed the shape of their lives.

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How You Can Help

Neighbors and strangers alike are being asked to help however they can. Donations through the GoFundMe will help this young family rebuild in the midst of unimaginable grief. Just as important, Susan asks for prayers for comfort, for strength, and for healing.