- Four young children were killed Tuesday evening after an inferno ripped through their Connecticut home
- The children, ages five to 12, were identified by their cousin as Lucas, Benjamin, Archer and Genevieve
- The family next door lost their home to the fire damage, but were able to escape physically unscathed
Four young children were killed Tuesday evening after an inferno ripped through their Connecticut home.
Firefighters were called to the blaze that engulfed the home on Quality Avenue in Somers around 10:20 p.m., the local fire department said.
Firefighters entered the building and performed several rescues, but the fast-moving fire had already caused extensive damage.
The children, ages 5, 6, 8 and 12, all came from the same family and were named Lucas, Benjamin, Archer and Genevieve by their cousins.
Writing on a GoFundMe page to raise costs for the children's funerals, family member Jessica Kone said: 'My nieces and nephews suffered an unbearable loss when their four beautiful children, Lucas, Benjamin, Archer and Genevieve (ages 5-12) old), tragically died in a devastating house fire.'
Firefighters were called to the fire on Quality Avenue in Somers around 10:20 p.m
The children aged 5, 6, 8 and 12 all came from the same family
“The entire family has been displaced and has lost all their belongings,” she wrote.
Adding, “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for those who have already helped: neighbors, first responders, first responders and surrounding communities.
“Your kindness means the world to us.”
Some residents were transported to Johnson Hospital with varying degrees of injuries.
“It's a tremendous loss to the city,” said First Counsel Tim Keeney.
“A tragedy that, as far as I know, the city has not experienced forever,” he added.
“Our Somers Public Schools Community is dealing with this tragic event,” Somers Public Schools said in a statement.
“Our guidance staff will provide support to students throughout the week as needed.”
The children were named Lucas, Benjamin, Archer and Genevieve by their cousin
The firefighters entered the building and performed several rescues, but the fast-moving fire had already caused extensive damage
Some residents were transported to Johnson Hospital with varying degrees of injuries
No firefighters were injured during the rescue,” Somers Fire Department Chief Roache said
“Our staff, students and families will support each other as we move through this tragedy.”
The State Fire Marshal will lead the investigation and the Eastern District Major Crime Squad is also investigating the deaths.
No firefighters were injured during the rescue,” said Somers fire chief Roache.
The fire caused significant damage to the house next door, causing the Tomalonis family to flee.
Bonnie and Ryan Tomalonis and their children – Hunter, Addelynn and Owen – and their dog Mochi are unharmed, but were left with nothing “but the pajamas they were wearing,” according to a GoFundMe page.
The Red Cross also released a statement saying they are helping five people, two adults and three children, displaced by the fire.
'They lost everything and are homeless after the holidays and are starting all over again. They have a difficult and long journey ahead of them,” wrote family member Colleen Karoliszyn.