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ROME, NY — Two residents of the Countryside Apartments, Christine M. Teuscher, age 76, and Gary J. Wiedmann, age 61, tragically lost their lives following a devastating fire at 7108 Rome Oriskany Road in the City of Rome. The fire, which fully engulfed the apartment building, prompted an extensive response from multiple local fire departments, emergency services, and law enforcement agencies. Both Teuscher and Wiedmann were long-time residents of the complex. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and have not released additional details at this time.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies from the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the New York State Police, immediately began assisting residents and evacuating the building. During the search, Christine M. Teuscher was located with severe burn injuries and transported to Wynn Hospital, where she later died. Gary J. Wiedmann was found deceased inside his apartment. One other resident, initially unaccounted for, was later located safe and unharmed.
The investigation into the identities of the deceased involved the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Onondaga County Medical Examiner’s Office to ensure accurate identification and proper next-of-kin notification. Once confirmed, the victims’ names were released to the public.
The response to the fire was a large-scale coordinated effort involving the Rome City Fire Department, Stanwix Heights Fire Department, Oriskany Fire Department, Westmoreland Fire Department, Floyd Fire Department, Clark Mills Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Vernon Fire Department, Verona Fire Department, New London Fire Department, and AmCare Ambulance Service. The Red Cross also assisted residents displaced by the fire.
At this time, the Rome Oriskany Road area remains closed between Monument Road and Stanwix Avenue while emergency personnel continue their work. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the fire or the residents affected to contact the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Our deepest condolences go out to the families, friends, and neighbors of Christine M. Teuscher and Gary J. Wiedmann during this heartbreaking time.
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