Family pleads for information in suspicious fatal Black Brook fire

BLACK BROOK | As Marion Collins' loved ones continue to mourn her death, they are joining New York State Police by asking the public for any information about the early morning fire that claimed the local grandmother's life. Collins was found inside her burning two-story home on Route 9N early Aug. 29 and was rushed to an area hospital, where she was pronounced deceased. "While she was blessed to live 87 years on earth, the fact is she could have had another month or another 10 years, we'll never know," Collins granddaughter, Jessica Renadette Pelt, said as she recently urged anyone with information to come forward. "Natural causes, accident or sickness I could accept, but (this) is something I will never understand." State Police, along with local and state fire investigators, are continuing to investigate the cause of the 2:15 a.m. blaze, which has been deemed suspicious in nature. Authorities have released few details as the investigation continues, but said arson has not been ruled out. On Sept. 22, police released autopsy results in the case, saying Collins died from "asphyxia due to inhalation of smoke and heated products of combustion." The manner of death, such as homicide or accidental, has not been officially finalized, pending the ongoing investigation. "The fire is suspicious in nature, and we are not ruling out arson," State Police Troop B spokesperson Jennifer Fleishman told Sun Community News. Collins, a great-grandmother, and avid traveler spent much of her life in the Clayburg and Saranac area and is survived by a large extended family spread across the Northeast. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 518-873-2777.

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Family pleads for information in suspicious fatal Black Brook fire

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