Cape Cod teacher died trying to save 1-year-old daughter, scholarship started in her name

More details have been released concerning a fatal fire that claimed the lives of 2 Cape Cod family members.

According to Trooper Aaron J. Hicks, on October 14th, the New York State Police responded to a residential house fire with East Clinton Fire Department on 320 Clinton Hollow Road in the town of Clinton dispatched by Dutchess County 911 at just before 10:45 p.m.

Troopers and first responders found the caller outside of the residence, who stated two children, and their mother, were inside the house on the second floor.  Entry into the residence was not possible until mutual aid from Pleasant Valley Fire Department arrived, and Shannon K. Hubbard, age 35, of Brewster, MA, and her two children, a 3-year-old boy, and 1-year-old girl were extricated from the residence.  All four victims were transported to local area hospitals.

The father, a 39-year-old male, and the 3-year-old boy were transported to Westchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.  Shannon K. Hubbard, and her 1-year-old girl, were pronounced deceased at Vassar Hospital and Mid-Hudson Regional hospital respectively.

According to scanner transmissions, the children could be heard crying while trapped in the house yelling daddy.

According to an obituary, Shannon Hubbard died trying to save her daughter. She was a preschool teacher at Chatham Elementary School.

Monomoy District School Superintendent Scott Carpenter issued the following statement:

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community. We sadly share news of the passing of Shannon (Waldron) Hubbard in a family tragedy. Shannon was a preschool teacher at Chatham Elementary School and previously a teacher at Harwich Elementary, with many connections throughout our district’s families and staff. Our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy.

“This loss will undoubtedly be shocking and painful for our school community. We will have support teams and counselors at our elementary schools tomorrow, trained to help with the needs of students, staff, and families at difficult times such as this. Our counselors are available in each school for any student or staff member who may need help surrounding this loss. We encourage parents, students, and staff to access these resources if they would be helpful.

“We have included some information that may be useful in discussing this both at home and at school. You can also request additional support by contacting the school and asking to speak with an administrator or counselor.

“We are incredibly saddened by this loss and will make every effort to provide help as needed. As we support Shannon’s family during this time, we will share any information that they wish about services or remembrances. We will keep Shannon’s family and the entire Monomoy Regional School District community in our thoughts.”

Shannon’s husband is a Cape Cod police officer which led Dennis Police Chief John Brady to make the following statement:

“On behalf of the entire Dennis Police Department, I convey my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Patrolman John Hubbard over the tragic loss of his wife, Shannon Hubbard, and 1-year-old daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Hubbard last weekend.

“Patrolman Hubbard and his family were vacationing in Clinton, New York, when a fire broke out in their vacation rental home on Sunday night. It is with profound sadness that I report Shannon and Maggie lost their lives as a result of the fire. Patrolman Hubbard and their 3-year-old son Jack survived the ordeal.

“The men and women of the Dennis Police Department are mourning this heartbreaking news. Patrolman Hubbard is a valued member of our department and community, and more importantly our friend. We extend our deepest sympathies to him and his family.

“We pledge our full support to Patrolman Hubbard and are committed to providing any assistance he needs as his family and loved ones navigate this unimaginable loss. We also know that the Dennis community is caring and compassionate, and will also be a source of support.

“On behalf of the family, we ask everyone to please respect their privacy while they grieve.”

The Greg Hill Foundation has launched an online fundraiser for the family which has raised over $175,000 as of this writing.

A memorial scholarship fund has been set up in the name of Shannon and Maggie June Hubbard to help with the cost of pre-school tuition for families. Contributions can be sent to the Shannon and Maggie June Hubbard Scholarship, c/o Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, PO Box 86, Orleans, MA 02653.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.