As fire raced through a house in Somers Tuesday night, neighbors tried to help put it out and firefighters quickly arrived to the scene.
But the house was already engulfed in flames. The fire spread rapidly, cutting off the stairway, and trapping people on the second floor.
Four children were killed. Three of their siblings survived, although one had serious burn injuries.
The children who died were ages 5, 6, 8 and 12.
The fire has left the small northern Connecticut town, about 25 miles northeast of Hartford, in shock.
“This is an unprecedented tragedy in this town,” First Selectman Tim Keeney said.
Connecticut's governor described the news as "devastating."
The fire ripped through a two-family home on Quality Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Four people on the other side of the house escaped without injuries.
Officials don't believe the fire was criminal in nature, although an investigation continues into how it started.
Neighbor David Kellam said he saw flames coming from the house late Tuesday night and tried to help.
"Somebody came from the second floor jumping out the window," Kellam said. "It was just horrible — horrifying. I haven't slept all night. It's just unbelievable."
The children lived with their mother, who was not home at the time; her 19-year-old daughter, who was watching over the other children, escaped by jumping out of a second-story window, Keeney said.
Fire Chief John Roache said fire crews had a difficult time getting inside the home because a back entrance was blocked and flames prevented entry through the front door.
About 60 personnel from 12 agencies responded to the fire, he said.
“The entire front of the house was heavily involved in fire," Roache said. "The house was an older construction with numerous concealed spaces, which allowed the fire to spread rapidly.”
Three children were pronounced dead at the scene and a fourth child died of their injuries at a local hospital, according to Roache. One firefighter was also injured during the fire, but was treated and released from a hospital.
Firefighters rescued three dogs from the home, but a litter of puppies died, Roache said.
Schools in Somers were providing counseling to staff, students and families affected by the fire, according to superintendent Dr. Sam Galloway.
"Our Somers community is dealing with an unimaginable loss," Galloway said in a statement. "Assistance will be ongoing as we begin to process this tremendous loss."
Elected officials — in Somers and around the state — expressed their condolences.
"The news of the fire ... in Somers that took the lives of four young children is absolutely devastating," Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. "I am appreciative of the work of the first responders on the scene who provided aid during this emergency. My prayers are with their families and friends."
Fire investigators remained at the home Wednesday in an attempt to determine the cause of the fire.
The Connecticut State Police's Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit as well as the Eastern District Major Crime Squad are assisting in the investigation.
“This is the first incident like this I’ve ever been a witness to," Keeney told reporters. "It will take us a long time to get over it."
How to help
Town officials say donations may be directed to the Town of Somers Angel Fund, 619 Main St., Somers, CT 06071.
Meanwhile, State Police are asking residents who may have photos or video of the fire to contact Det. Patrick O’Brien at Patrick.j.obrien@ct.gov
Connecticut Public's Matt Dwyer and The Associated Press contributed to this report, which has been updated.
