An elementary school student died in a house fire in Middlefield early Friday morning, according to a message the superintendent of Regional School District 13 sent to families.
Superintendent Doug Schuch notified parents on Friday morning of the heartbreaking news that a student from John Lyman Elementary School died in a house fire early Friday morning and he said counselors will be made available.
The first firefighter to respond was a neighbor.
Officials said several volunteer firefighters live in the neighborhood and they responded to the fire on Dwight Drive around 1 a.m.
Two people were inside the home. One of them got out, along with a dog, officials said, but another person was trapped.
Firefighters tried to search, but the flames and smoke pushed them back and one person was found dead on the porch.
“We are a small community and everybody knows everybody or has a connection with everybody, whether it be our kids went to school together or things like that, so this is an extremely difficult situation,” Middlefield Fire Chief Peter Tyc said.
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He said the home did have a working smoke detector, which notified the residents and could have prevented further tragedy.
He said a debriefing team has been brought in and will meet with members of the fire company to help them.
“Last night a learner who attends John Lyman Elementary School died in a house fire in the town of Middlefield,” Schuch wrote in a letter to families.
“We are withholding the name of the child at this time out of respect for the family," the message went on to say. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this child in this most difficult time."
Help will be made available for members of the school community who need assistance.
“We will be sending additional counseling staff to John Lyman Elementary School today to support children and adults in the aftermath of this tragedy," Schuch wrote. “We will also be sending additional counselors to support staff at Brewster Elementary School where the child attended school previously."
School officials are urging parents to reach out if their children need help.
“Please contact your school if you or your child need any support today or in the days ahead,” Schuch's message said.
The first selectman called this a tragedy for the small community.
A firefighter was injured and was taken to the hospital. Officials said he has been released.
State police and the Middlefield fire marshal's office are investigating the cause of the fire.
