A devastating house fire in Troy, New York, has claimed the lives of a couple and their 11-year-old daughter, leaving their 13-year-old son as the surviving child. The victims were identified as 37-year-old Dominick Rizzo Jr., 39-year-old Alicia Ruefle and their daughter, Abigail Rizzo. Their son, Dominick Rizzo III, escaped the burning home by jumping from a second-floor window.
The fire happened Sunday night, September 27, 2026, at a single-family home at 2216 13th Street in Troy’s Beman Park neighborhood. Firefighters were called shortly after 9:35 p.m. following reports of a heavy fire with people trapped inside.
Latest Update on the Troy Fire
As of September 29, 2026, authorities have confirmed that three members of the family died following the fire. Dominick Rizzo Jr. and Alicia Ruefle died from injuries sustained in the blaze, while their 11-year-old daughter Abigail died Monday at Westchester Medical Center after being hospitalized in grave condition.
The couple’s 13-year-old son, Dominick Rizzo III, survived after escaping through a second-story window. Fire Chief Richard Cellucci said the boy did not suffer serious physical injuries. He was assisted by people at the scene after getting out of the home.
The cause and origin of the fire have not been finalized. Cellucci said preliminary findings indicated the fire appeared to have started on the first floor and that the home appeared not to have working smoke detectors. The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control is leading the investigation.
Who Died in the Troy House Fire?
The victims were identified as Dominick Rizzo Jr., Alicia Ruefle and their 11-year-old daughter, Abigail Rizzo. Rizzo Jr. was 37 and Ruefle was 39. Officials said the couple were engaged.
Rizzo Jr. was transported to Samaritan Hospital after being rescued from the home, where he later died. Ruefle and Abigail were taken to Westchester Medical Center’s burn unit. Abigail remained in critical condition before her death was announced Monday afternoon.
How Did the 13-Year-Old Son Survive?
According to Troy Fire Chief Richard Cellucci, 13-year-old Dominick Rizzo III escaped the second floor by jumping from a window. Reports say he was able to get out of the home and was helped by people nearby. Officials said he did not suffer severe physical injuries.
The circumstances of his escape have become one of the central details of the tragedy because firefighters were responding to a rapidly developing residential fire with people trapped inside. Firefighters from Troy and surrounding communities arrived after the emergency call and removed the three other family members from the second floor within roughly five minutes of their arrival, according to Cellucci.
A local report also identified an RPI student, Will Roberson, as someone who helped the surviving boy after his escape.
What Happened at the Troy Home?
The fire was reported at approximately 9:35 p.m. Sunday at 2216 13th Street. Firefighters encountered a heavy blaze and reports that people were trapped inside the residence. Crews from Troy and neighboring departments responded, including firefighters from Watervliet and the Watervliet Arsenal.
Firefighters removed Dominick Rizzo Jr., Alicia Ruefle and Abigail from the home’s second floor. Despite those rescue efforts, all three later died from their injuries. The fire also killed seven huskies belonging to the family, while three dogs survived.
The surviving dogs were later taken in by a close family member who was familiar with them, according to Troy Animal Control information reported by CBS6.
What Is Known About the Fire Investigation?
The fire investigation is still underway. The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control is involved in determining how the blaze began and what circumstances contributed to its rapid spread.
Fire Chief Richard Cellucci said preliminary information suggested that the fire originated on the first floor. He also said the home appeared not to have working smoke detectors. These are preliminary observations and should not be treated as the final official determination of the fire’s cause.
No final cause has been publicly announced in the reports reviewed for this article. It would therefore be premature to state that a particular appliance, electrical problem or other specific source caused the fire.
Parents Dominick Rizzo Jr. and Alicia Ruefle
Dominick Rizzo Jr. was 37 years old, while Alicia Ruefle was 39. The two were engaged and lived with their two children in Troy.
Rizzo was the son of Dominick Rizzo Sr., who works in security for the Troy City School District. Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said she knew Rizzo Sr. professionally.
Ruefle was previously employed by The Arc of Rensselaer County. The organization’s CEO, Don Mullin, said she worked as a direct support professional and was well regarded by colleagues.
Abigail Rizzo
Abigail Rizzo was 11 years old and attended school in the Troy City School District. She was pulled from the burning home and taken to Westchester Medical Center, where she was treated in the burn unit. She later died from injuries sustained in the fire.
Abigail’s death was initially reported while she remained in grave condition. Officials later confirmed that she had died, meaning the final death toll among the family was three.
Dominick Rizzo III
Dominick Rizzo III is the couple’s 13-year-old son and the only member of the immediate family known to have survived the fire. He is also a student in the Troy City School District.
Authorities said he escaped by jumping from a second-floor window and did not sustain severe physical injuries. His physical survival, however, comes after the loss of both parents and his sister in the same incident. Public reports have not provided extensive details about his current living arrangements, and those private details should not be assumed.
Troy Community Responds
The tragedy has affected the Troy City School District because both Abigail and Dominick III were students in the district. School officials said support teams were available for students and staff members affected by the deaths.
Mayor Carmella Mantello said the city would continue supporting the Rizzo family. The American Red Cross was also reported to be working with the fire department to provide assistance.
A fundraising campaign was established to help the surviving child and family with expenses connected to the tragedy. CBS6 reported that the fundraiser had passed $45,000 by Monday night, although fundraising totals can change over time.
Firefighters Also Injured
Two Troy firefighters suffered minor burn injuries while responding to the blaze. They were treated and released, according to CBS6.
Firefighters from Troy and surrounding communities remained at the scene for hours. The fire was contained without spreading to neighboring homes, according to Spectrum News.
Quick Table: Troy Fire Victims
| Location | 2216 13th Street, Troy, New York |
|---|---|
| Date of Fire | Sunday, September 27, 2026 |
| Reported Time | About 9:35 p.m. |
| Adult Victim | Dominick Rizzo Jr., 37 |
| Adult Victim | Alicia Ruefle, 39 |
| Child Victim | Abigail Rizzo, 11 |
| Surviving Child | Dominick Rizzo III, 13 |
| Escape | Dominick III escaped through a second-story window |
| Dogs Killed | Seven |
| Dogs Surviving | Three |
| Firefighters Injured | Two, with minor burn injuries |
| Preliminary Fire Origin | Officials believe the fire started on the first floor |
| Smoke Detectors | Officials said the home appeared not to have working smoke detectors |
| Investigation | New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control investigation ongoing |
Reader Questions
What happened in the Troy fire?
A house fire broke out Sunday night, September 27, 2026, at a home on 13th Street in Troy, New York. Three family members died, while the family’s 13-year-old son escaped.
Who died in the Troy house fire?
The victims were 37-year-old Dominick Rizzo Jr., 39-year-old Alicia Ruefle and their 11-year-old daughter, Abigail Rizzo. All three died from injuries related to the fire.
Who survived the Troy fire?
The family’s 13-year-old son, Dominick Rizzo III, survived. Officials said he escaped by jumping from a second-floor window and did not suffer serious physical injuries.
How did the 13-year-old boy escape the Troy fire?
Fire Chief Richard Cellucci said Dominick Rizzo III jumped from a second-floor window to escape the burning home. People at the scene assisted him after he got outside.
What caused the Troy house fire?
The official cause has not yet been determined. Preliminary information indicates that the fire may have started on the first floor, while officials also said the home appeared not to have working smoke detectors.
Where did the Troy fire happen?
The fire happened at a single-family home at 2216 13th Street in Troy, New York. The residence is in the city’s Beman Park neighborhood.
How many people died in the Troy fire?
Three members of the same family died: two adults and their 11-year-old daughter. Their 13-year-old son survived.
Were any firefighters injured in the Troy fire?
Yes. Two Troy firefighters suffered minor burn injuries while responding to the blaze. They were treated and released.
How many dogs died in the Troy fire?
Seven huskies died in the fire. Three other dogs survived and were subsequently taken in by a close family member.
Is the Troy fire investigation finished?
No. The investigation remains underway, with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control involved. Authorities have not released a final determination of the fire’s cause.
Wrap-Up
The Troy, New York, house fire has resulted in the deaths of Dominick Rizzo Jr., Alicia Ruefle and their 11-year-old daughter Abigail. Their 13-year-old son, Dominick Rizzo III, survived after escaping from the second floor, leaving him as the surviving child of the family.
The tragedy has drawn support from the Troy community, the local school district, first responders and organizations connected with the family. Counseling and other assistance are being made available as relatives and community members deal with the aftermath.
Investigators are still working to establish exactly how the fire began. Until that investigation is complete, the preliminary observations about the first-floor origin and smoke detectors should be treated as developing information rather than a final explanation for the blaze.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from Troy officials, the Troy Fire Department and local news organizations available as of September 29, 2026. The fire investigation remains ongoing, so details about its cause may change as authorities release additional findings. Information about the surviving 13-year-old’s private circumstances has not been included where it has not been publicly confirmed.
