Fatal New Haven Fire Victims Identified

NEW HAVEN, CT — A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for the funeral expenses of two men who died in the West Street fire.

Michael Randall helped his roommates escape the blaze, but in the process was killed by flames, according to a GoFundMe set up by his family. Donations can also be made directly to Colonial Funeral Home in Hamden.

"He was loved by so many and will be dearly missed," said Lillian Randal Robinson, his sister. "Unfortunately the family was not prepared for this tragic loss."

Another GoFundMe was started to help pay for Corey Reed's funeral.

"This happened so unexpectedly, no one was prepared for this tragic loss," his mother Shirley Reed said on the GoFundMe page. "My son was so sweet, and caring. Loved by many. Being that he was apart of the LGBT community."

Tenants that managed to escape a large fire on West Street said they didn't hear smoke alarms during the blaze, but were alerted to it by a neighbor. Two people died in the fire and another was in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.

The New Haven Independent interviewed two survivors of the fire. They said that they had rented rooms on the third, second and first floors of the apartment at different times and that the third floor had become a spot for drug users and sellers.

Mayor Toni Harp said the city has to figure out how to deal with residences that are unsafe for tenants.

Related: Investigation Launched Into Fatal New Haven Fire

The city Fire Marshal office and state officials are investigating the fire and whether proper safety measures were in place.

Read the full Independent story here.

GoFundMe here and here.