Schenectady girl dies from injuries sustained in fire; reward fund set up for information about blaze

PHOTOGRAPHER: Justin Mason

Avion Bell, the 10-year-old girl rescued from an apartment fire on Congress Street, died from injuries she sustained during Saturday’s blaze.

Police Spokesman Eric Clifford said the young girl died around 2 p.m. Wednesday while being treated at the Westchester Medical Center. Investigators continue to search for a cause in the early-morning fire, which has been ruled suspicious.

“The investigation is ongoing,” Clifford said.

Meanwhile, Schenectady’s police and firefighters’ unions have established a reward fund for information about the deadly fire. Clifford was unsure of the exact amount of the contributions but said both organizations are anxious to resolve the case.

“We’re looking for as much information from the public as we can get,” he said.

Avion was a fourth-grade student at Franklin D. Roosevelt Elementary School in Schenectady. Neighbors described her as an energetic child who was frequently seen riding her pink toy motorcycle around Congress Street.

Firefighters found her unconscious in her second-floor bedroom at the duplex at 1027 Congress St. She was resuscitated at the scene but never regained consciousness.

The building suffered extensive damage to its roof, attic and second floor from the fire, which was reported around 4:30 a.m. Saturday. Schenectady Fire Capt. Doug Faulisi, who was among the three firefighters who pulled Avion from the structure, suffered a torn tendon in his right arm.

City police arrested Avion’s mother, 34-year-old Tamira Bell, on the charge of endangering the welfare of a child after she arrived home more than two hours after the fire was reported. She was arraigned on the misdemeanor charge in City Court and released on bail Sunday.

Clifford declined to say whether the girl’s mother could face more charges as a result of her daughter’s death.

“Any further charges are part of the ongoing investigation,” he said.

Investigators have determined that the fire originated in both a shared rear hallway and the basement but have not released an official cause. Police are urging anyone with information regarding the fire to call the Schenectady tips line at 788-6566.