Elderly couple dies in Irondequoit house fire

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Firefighters say a house fire claimed the lives of two people in Irondequoit on Garford Road Wednesday. On Friday, their identities were released.

Crews from five fire departments responded to the house fully engulfed in flames. The first firefighters arrived on Wednesday just before midnight. Fire officials said occupants were trapped inside the home.

Fire personnel located a female victim in the residence that was deceased. A second victim was rescued
from the home and transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The victims have been identified as Phyllis Keller and David Keller, both 74 years old.

Two firefighters were taken to Strong Hospital where they were treated for heat exhaustion.

Kyle Viccaro, chief of the Point Pleasant Fire Department in Irondequoit, said firefighters had difficulties putting out the fire before it was brought under control.

“Units did have to withdraw from the structure for a brief period of time due to heavy fire, and heavy fire load found in the home,” Viccaro said.

We spoke to a neighbor who says a couple lives at the home. She rushed out after she saw the flames at her neighbor’s house.

“When we got outside, the flames were much, you know, higher. There were more flames than there were when I looked out the window. There was a lot of smoke, a lot of black smoke and we could tell it wasn’t looking good,” said Mavise Daniels of Irondequoit.

Here is a cellphone video of the fire.