LOCKPORT, N.Y. -- One week after crews discovered human remains in the rubble of a fire at Lockport's High Tread International, police confirmed the identity as Joseph Phillips. He was 14.
Offie Abdul-Rashed says it wasn't surprising to hear kids might have been near High Tread International's property during last week's fire. He lives nearby and says it was a common hang out - even, he recently learned, for his son.
"He said, 'Dad, when I was little, I used to go over there, too. That used to be my clubhouse,'" said Abdul-Rashed. "I know that the owner at that time had boarded the place up, but the children would always find a way in."
The news that the remains were identified still came as a blow.
"Just the loss of a kid, you know, 14 years old, it brings about deep sadness, it really does," said Abdul-Rashed.
Phillips's mother told Time Warner Cable News last week that he'd been missing since around 5:30 p.m. on August 10 and that she strongly believed his disappearance was connected to the fire. Fire officials say the flames sparked just before 7 p.m. that same day.
"It's terrible news for everyone in Lockport," said Mayor Anne McCaffrey, R-Lockport. "Our hearts go out to the family."
Phillips was supposed to enter 9th grade at Lockport High School this year. Superintendent Michelle Bradley extended the district's condolences to his family and says counseling will be available for students on Monday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
McCaffrey says when it comes to the city as a whole, there are mixed feelings nearly a week after the fire was declared out.
"Definitely a sadness about the loss of life," she said. "Then, I think, on the flip side, there's feeling proud of our staff, that we were able to put the fire out with no other property damage or no other injuries."
Questions remain about the cause of the fire and how Phillips became trapped in the fire. Officials have said there's some information they can't share because of the young age of those involved.