Somers Fire Victims Died Of Smoke Inhalation; Fundraisers Established

SOMERSVILLE, CT — As residents of Somers continue to grieve for the loss of four pre-teen siblings in a devastating fire Tuesday night, a number of fundraising efforts have been initiated to assist the surviving members of the family, as well as the duplex neighbors who escaped from the blaze but lost everything they owned.

Ranging in age from 5 to 12, Lukas, Benjamin, Archer and Genevieve Koropatkin perished as a result of the late-night fire at 44 Quality Avenue in Somersville. They each died of smoke inhalation and thermal burns, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

An adult and two other children escaped from the burning structure, while two adults and three children living on the other side of the two-family house managed to get out of the building before it was consumed by flames.

Several fundraising initiatives have been created in response to the tragedy. Through its Human Services department, the town of Somers has established the Angel Fund to provide for immediate and future needs of the family. Make checks payable to: Town of Somers Angel Fund, 619 Main Street, Somers, CT 06071. All contributions are tax-deductible.

At least four GoFundMe accounts have been created, by:

• Jessica Kone, on behalf of the Koropatkin family;
• Brittany Whiteley, aunt of the four victims;
• Greg Sarkozy, manager of Dunkin' at Bradley International Airport and employer of the victims' mother;
• Colleen Karoliszyn, to aid the Tomalonis family, which escaped but lost everything.

Small business owners are quickly acting to lend support.

• R&C Woodcrafts, whose owner Tim is directly connected to one of the family members, is making ornaments and selling them for $5 each, with all money going to the family.
• Claudette's Consignment Shop at 20 Vasilie Road (next to New England Tractor Trailer Training School) has placed a donation box in the store.
• Sue's Shirt Creations at 629 Main Street has designed a Somers Strong T-shirt, with 100 percent of the profits being donated to the Angel Fund.
• Bond 124 Restaurant at 124 Main Street is donating 20 percent of its food proceeds from Friday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 7 to the families.
• Henny Penny at 595 Main Street is accepting donations of clothing, gift cards, cash and household items for the families. The store is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Somers Pizza & Family Restaurant at 106 Main Street is collecting monetary donations, household items and clothing.
• The Somers Department of Public Works and Social Services are collecting monetary donations, household items and clothing at the town's recycling center at 127 Egypt Road.

A pair of live music performances at local clubs have now turned into fundraising events.

• Steel-N-Easy will be hosting a fundraiser at Joanna's, at 145 Main Street, on Friday night. Band members are donating their pay and will have a tip bucket for donations. The waitstaff and bartenders are also donating a portion of their tips, and owner Jeff Lipton is matching donations up to $1,000.
• Saturday’s General Gist show at Four Seasons by the Lake at Sun Valley Resort in Stafford will run from 6 to 10 p.m. A portion of all proceeds from the night will be donated to the family. There will also be a 50/50 fundraiser raffle and a band tip jar. Direct donations will also be accepted.

If you know of any other fundraising efforts to aid the victims of this tragedy, email the information to tim.jensen@patch.com to be added to the list.