Dead House Fire - Officials in Enfield says at least four people have been burned to death following a fire inside a duplex in South River Street on Wednesday night.
"With a heavy heart and sadness, I have to report this evening that we've uncovered four bodies in the house at 68 South River Street," Thompsdonville Fire Chief Frank Alaimo told reporters during a press conference.
According to local sources, although investigators have not released the identities of the dead victims of the house fire, family and friends have confirmed three of them. They include a grandmother, Orise Handfield, her adopted daughter Cathy Armes, grandson Joshua Johnson and a close family friend whose name was not immediately disclosed.
After receiving distress calls, firefighters arrived at the scene around 6:15 a.m. However, they could not enter the two-family house along the Connecticut River as it was completely enwrapped by the flames.
The second floor is reported to have collapsed onto the first floor.
Mark Zararo, the spokesman for the fire department said despite the dangers of entering the building house firefighters still attempted to save lives.
"They made a valiant effort at every opening to at least get their heads in and try to locate anybody that might be trying to escape this fire, but it was just an impossible situation," Zararo said.
Reports indicate that an administrative warrant has been obtained from the marshal's office for officials to take full control of the property while investigators work to discover the cause of the house fire.
"This is certainly unprecedented. I don't think in 30-something years that I've been in the fire service that we've had multiple deaths," Zarcaro said.
Reports indicate that at least three people were able to escape the house fire. Jessica Rozalski, a neighbor identified two of the survivors as Laurie Johnson and her son, Richie Johnson. Richie was transported via air to a hospital in Massachusetts, where he is being treated after suffering burns to his lungs.
Authorities will officially announce the names of the dead victims and survivors of the house fire on Thursday. American Red Cross officials are providing the survivors of the two families with food, clothing and housing. Volunteers are also working to provide the survivors with grief counselors.
