In Somers, Connecticut, a ravaging house fire claimed the lives of four children on the night of January 3, 2024. The incident occurred at a two-family home located at 44 Quality Avenue.
The fire was reported around 10:20 pm, and firefighters arrived within five minutes. Upon arrival, they found the front of the duplex completely engulfed in flames. They had difficulty getting into the home because of objects in front of the doors.
The victims, Lucas, Benjamin, Archer, and Genevieve Koropatkin, between the ages of five and 12, were unable to escape the blaze and died of smoke inhalation and burns.
Two of the children were pulled from the fire by first responders, with one pronounced dead at the scene and the other at the hospital. The remaining two children were later found and pronounced dead.
Eight people occupied one side of the two-family dwelling, with seven being home at the time of the blaze. Four people living on the other side of the home managed to escape unharmed. Three dogs were also saved, while a litter of puppies perished. Two dogs are still missing.
The mother of the children who perished was not at home at the time of the fire. Her 19-year-old daughter, responsible for the children, narrowly escaped by jumping out of a second-story window. The 19-year-old and two of her siblings survived with injuries, one suffering from serious burns. A fireman also was burned but was treated and released.
The Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the Eastern District Major Crime Squad are leading the investigation to determine the fire’s cause and origin. Although the exact cause remains unknown, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a Christmas tree being involved.
Somers Fire Chief John Roache described the fire as a rapid spread due to the 100-year-old house’s “balloon frame” style. This older construction style allowed the fire to quickly move from the first to the second floor, cutting off stairway access and making escape nearly impossible for those on the upper level.
In response to the tragedy, local school officials announced that counseling would be offered to students and staff affected by the loss.
The American Red Cross and social service officials are assisting the family that suffered the loss.
Additionally, the town has set up an “Angel Fund” to collect donations for the family, and GoFundMe pages have been created by family and friends to help raise money for both families involved in the fire.