Dec. 04--GREENVILLE -- A Greenville High School student was killed in a fire at his friend's house Saturday night in Norton Hill, the Greene County Sheriff's Office said.
Vincent Greco was trapped inside the burning home at 2 County Route 75 when firefighters arrived at the scene, said Sean McCulloch, an investigator for the sheriff's office.
Heavy smoke and flames kept firefighters from reaching Greco, a 17-year-old Greenville High senior who lived in nearby Earlton, a hamlet in the Town of Coxsackie, until the blaze was put out, McCulloch said.
The one-story home, which is likely a total loss from the damage, is owned by Joesph and Joanne Cartelli, McCulloch said.
Their son, Joesph Cartelli Jr., 18, was good friends with Greco and invited him to spend the night. Joesph Cartelli Jr. suffered cuts to his arms from attempting to break windows during the blaze, McCulloch said. Joesph and Joanne Cartelli escaped unharmed.
Several cats died in the fire, but the family dog escaped, McCulloch said.
The fire began at 11:40 p.m. Crews did not clear the scene until 6 a.m.
McCulloch said the blaze was sparked by an electrical problem.
An autopsy conducted at St. Peter's Hospital Sunday determined that Greco died from injuries suffered during the fire. The Greenville Central School District will have crisis management counselors available at the school Monday.
