A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday night in northern Connecticut as a fire swept through a two-family home, claiming the lives of four children and numerous animals. Firefighters faced significant challenges in their rescue efforts due to clutter within the residence, according to authorities.
The victims, aged five, six, eight, and 12, lived on one side of the Somers residence with their mother and three additional siblings. At the time of the blaze, their mother was not at home, and the 19-year-old daughter, responsible for overseeing the other children, narrowly escaped by leaping from a second-story window, as reported by First Selectman Tim Keeney.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, prompting investigations by state and local officials in this close-knit community of just under 10,000 people, situated approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Hartford.
Expressing the community’s profound grief, town Fire Chief John Roache remarked in an early afternoon news conference, “This is a small community, so everybody knows everybody else, and these obviously are four kids that are in our community so it definitely hurts a lot of our members. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family.”
A neighbor recounted a harrowing scene of people screaming and three survivors jumping from the second floor.
Despite their efforts, firefighters could not save the lives of four children, and a litter of puppies succumbed to the flames. The 19-year-old daughter and two siblings survived the ordeal, with one suffering serious burn injuries and two sustaining minor injuries. Officials did not disclose which sibling was critically injured.
On the other side of the house, four individuals managed to escape without major injuries, although a firefighter sustained burn injuries and was treated and released from a hospital, according to officials.
The fire was reported shortly before 10:30 p.m., and the first responders arrived about five minutes later to find the entire front of the house ablaze, making entry difficult. Approximately 60 firefighters from 12 agencies collaborated in their response to the tragic incident.
Reflecting on the profound impact on the town, First Selectman Tim Keeney told reporters at the scene on Wednesday morning, “It’s a tremendous loss for the town. An incredible loss, a tragedy the town hasn’t seen forever that I’m aware of. I’ve lived here my whole life.”
In the aftermath, the family affected by the fire received support from the American Red Cross and social service officials. A local aid fund has been established to collect donations for the grieving family.