Middlefield 'Rocked To Its Core' After Death Of Student, Official Says

MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Middlefield First Selectman Bob Yamartino released a statement on Saturday after the death of a local student in a fire on Friday.

A John Lyman Elementary School student in Middlefield died in an early Friday morning fire on Dwight Drive.

Yamartino posted the following statement on the town's Facebook page:

Good morning Middlefield and Rockfall,

Early Friday morning, our little town was rocked to its core as we learned about a child perishing in a house fire. Upon hearing about what transpired, each of us experienced a broken heart and a tremendous loss to our community.

This child was known to many at Brewster and Lyman schools, as well as those who knew his family right here in town. Our hearts are heavy with this news. He was a kind and caring child. Seeing him and his grandfather together, I saw the depth of the love they shared.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family dealing with this unimaginable grief.

I visited John Lyman School and Brewster School yesterday morning. I saw firsthand the pain our teachers, staff and administrators felt at the death of one so young and innocent.

Many folks in the community have already reached out to me asking how to support the family, what can they do? Like you, I love this town. It is composed of caring and thoughtful people who, once you meet them, instantly become your friends and neighbors. We are truly blessed to live in this community. All of us feel a profound sense of loss.

I offer my sincerest thanks to the Middlefield Federated Church, which opened its doors on Friday night as a sanctuary for those who were in search of a place of comfort.

I can’t express the tremendous respect I have for members of the Middlefield Volunteer Fire Company and volunteers from surrounding communities. Arriving at the scene as the last flames were being extinguished, this fire struck a very different chord than others.

The first volunteers on scene were volunteers that lived just doors away; who knew the family personally. Many of our firefighters are parents and/or grandparents themselves, some are young adults that have never experienced such a situation and responding to a fire of this magnitude has challenged their resolve [took a toll as they attended to their duties].

Ours is a community run on volunteers and our firefighters are true heroes, for whom I give great thanks.

Many thanks to our residents who have been in touch. We love this town and I know we all wish to keep Middlefield Strong.

Bob Yamartino
First Selectman