Two killed in blaze at Groton mobile home park

Firefighters were unable to save the two residents trapped inside the fully engulfed home.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:15pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a charred, twisted metal object, conceptually illustrating the intensity and destruction of the mobile home fire.The aftermath of a deadly mobile home fire exposes the grim reality of the tragedy.Ithaca Today

Two Groton residents died after a mobile home caught fire shortly after midnight on Friday, April 10th. Emergency responders found the home 'fully engulfed' in flames when they arrived, and while they were able to extract one person through a window, both ultimately perished from the incident.

Why it matters

Fires in mobile home parks can be particularly devastating, as the homes are often older and more flammable. This tragedy highlights the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness in these types of residential communities.

The details

According to the Tompkins County Sheriff's Department, the deceased are a man and his father. The man had initially escaped the fire with his wife, but then went back into the burning building to try to rescue his father. Firefighters from several local departments responded to the blaze but were unable to save the two residents.

  • The fire broke out shortly after midnight on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Emergency responders arrived on the scene around 12:35 a.m.

The players

Tracey Wilson

An employee at the Valley View Mobile Home Park who knew the residents and described them as 'good people' and 'excellent tenants'.

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What they’re saying

“They were good people. Excellent tenants, too. Always friendly, would always wave whenever I went by.”

— Tracey Wilson, Mobile home park employee

What’s next

The incident remains under investigation, and law enforcement has not yet released the names of the victims.

The takeaway

This tragic fire serves as a somber reminder of the importance of fire safety and emergency preparedness, especially in mobile home communities where homes can be more vulnerable to devastating blazes.