Four children have died after a large fire at a two-family home in Somers on Tuesday night.
Police have not released the names and ages of the children, but First Selectman Tim Keeney said the victims are 5, 6, 8 and 12 years old.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) says all of the children died of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Their deaths were all ruled accidental.
All four were from the same family, according to officials who said an adult sibling was supervising the children when the fire began.
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“It’s a tremendous loss for the town,” Keeney said.
Firefighters responded to the duplex on Quality Avenue around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday and found the entire house engulfed.
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They had a tough time getting inside the home and had to break through the doors to get inside.
“The fire very quickly traveled from the first floor up to the second floor and spread and it cut off the stairway which made it very almost impossible for the people on the second floor,” Somers Fire Chief John Roache said.
“They had difficulty getting into the house because the doors had things in front of them,” Keeney said.
Eight people lived on one side of the home and seven, including one adult, were home when the fire started, officials said. One adult and two children survived.
Roache said that firefighters when they got inside quickly found two children. One died at the scene and the other died at Johnson Memorial Hospital. Then the two other children were found deceased in the house soon after.
One of the three survivors had serious burns and was treated and the others sustained minor injuries, officials said during a news conference on Wednesday afternoon.
The family also had several pets and firefighters were able to rescue three dogs, but a litter of puppies died during the fire. Two dogs are missing.
All four children who died were in the public school system and the superintendent of schools said support will be provided for students as they grieve the loss.
“Our Somers Public Schools community is dealing with this tragic event and our counseling staff will provide support to students throughout the week as needed. Our staff, students and families will support each other as we navigate this tragedy,” Superintendent Sam Galloway, of Somers Public Schools, said in a statement.
“Incredible loss. A tragedy the town hasn’t seen forever that I’m aware of,” Keeney said. “I’ve lived here my whole life.”
Roache said one firefighter suffered burns while fighting the fire and was released after being treated.
Four people who live on the other side of the house were home when the fire started and they were able to get out and were not hurt, officials said.
Officials said firefighters rescued several people and one person jumped from the second floor.
“The whole front of the house was very involved. The first floor right up to the second floor. Limited access. Very hard to get in there. Crews did an extraordinary job trying to get in there and do some rescues. They did several grabs and got victims out,” Roache said.
Roache said the house is older construction with several concealed spaces, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly, and it took considerable effort to get the fire under control around 12:56 a.m.
The house is a total loss.
David Kellam, a neighbor, tried to save the children who were tapped on the second floor.
“I didn’t think. I just ran and heard the screaming, thought of my kids and tried to help and when it was just too hot I couldn’t do it," he said.
He said a Christmas tree was on fire and that is where he burnt his arm.
Based on reports from people who were there, fire officials said they believe the home had working smoke detectors, but said they are still investigating.
Connecticut State Police responded to the scene and the state fire marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire.
While the investigation is ongoing, state police said it does not appear to be criminal.
State Trooper Pedro Muniz said the investigation will take some time and asks anyone who has photos or video of the fire that might help in the investigation to email those to Det. Patrick O’Brien at Patrick.j.obrien@ct.gov.
Keeney said social services will be available and help will be available for the firefighters.
Somers Social Services is assisting and officials said cash donations would be welcomed for the family.
Roache said that the family requests that any monetary donations be made to the town of Somers Angel Fund.
The Angel Fund
Town of Somers
619 Main St.
Somers, CT 06071
