By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
YORKSHIRE — New York State Police are investigating the cause of an early morning fire that claimed the lives of several members of a town of Yorkshire family.
Volunteer firefighters from nine area fire companies battled the fire.
Troopers said the fire broke out about 4 a.m. in the single-family home at 3825 Creek Road. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation and troopers are assisting the fire departments.
The state police statement confirmed multiple fatalities.
A statement on the Pioneer Central Schools website said its crisis response team was available for students Friday morning.
The school statement indicated the fire victims were members of the Cook family.
Channel 4 News reported four members of the household had died in the fire. The school’s statement Friday morning indicated three bodies had been located in the rubble and removed.
There was one report that a family member believed to be a Pioneer student had escaped the fire and called 911. That could not immediately be confirmed.
“This is still an active investigation,” state police said Friday morning.
