Girl, 7, Killed In House Fire Mourned By Norwalk Community, Schools

NORWALK, CT — City and school officials are mourning the loss of Summer Fawcett, a 7-year-old Norwalk girl who died in a tragic house fire Saturday, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her family.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Mayor Harry Rilling said Fawcett died after succumbing to injuries from a fire that broke out at her family's Nelson Avenue home early Saturday morning, just days after her seventh birthday on May 8.

Rilling noted Summer is the daughter of Blair and Lindsay Fawcett. A first grade student at Cranbury Elementary School, she had also attended Tracey Magnet School, Rilling said.

On Saturday, Superintendent Alexandra Estrella activated Norwalk Public Schools' network of school counselors and other staff members to prepare to meet the needs of grieving students and staff.

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Rilling also met with Cranbury Elementary School staff members Monday morning to offer them support in any way they need.

"This is an unimaginable nightmare," Rilling said in a statement. "My heart goes out to the parents of Summer Fawcett, Blair and Lindsay Fawcett, as they mourn the inconceivable loss of their 7-year-old daughter. This family is known among many in our community for their kindness and loving nature, and I hope they know that the city and the entire community are here for whatever they may need."

Rilling also noted any community members who may need support should know they are not alone, particularly the students, families and faculty of Cranbury Elementary School.

"Superintendent Alexandra Estrella has activated our network of school counselors and other staff members to make sure all students have the resources they need, beginning [Monday], as they cope with this tremendous loss," Rilling said.

According to the GoFundMe page, Blair and Lindsay Fawcett were able to escape the home with their young son, however both parents were injured trying to get up to Summer's second-floor bedroom. They are currently in the hospital.

The couple's young son is currently being cared for by his grandparents.

"The family is devastated in the loss of their beautiful daughter," the campaign's description reads, "and they have lost absolutely everything they own...please donate if you are able to help this heartbroken family with their tragic loss."

As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised over $100,000 and received over 1,000 donations. The description indicates funds raised will be used to help the family with medical bills, funeral costs and other expenses.

The fundraiser was organized by a relative of the family. Those who wish to donate to the campaign can do so here.

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On Twitter, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff urged members of the community to donate to the campaign and help the family.

"As a community, we support each other when our neighbors need it the most," Duff said Sunday on Twitter. "I'm certain the response will be overwhelming."

According to McCabe, firefighters arrived at the home just before 5 a.m. Saturday and found heavy fire on the front of the house, a burning power line down across the street and two vehicles burning in the driveway.

McCabe said a man and woman had escaped the fire with their son in the backyard. The man had broken his arm and suffered burns when he fell while trying to climb to a window in an attempt to rescue his daughter, who was asleep in a second floor bedroom.

Upon arrival, firefighters raised a ladder to the window and one firefighter climbed inside the burning room, located the child and passed her out the window to firefighters on the ladder, who carried her to the ground.

Norwalk paramedics began care and transported the child and father to Norwalk Hospital. McCabe said it was later reported the child succumbed to her injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Norwalk Fire Marshal Division and the Connecticut State Police.

According to McCabe, one Norwalk firefighter who responded to the house fire suffered burns to his face and was treated on the scene.

The community was rocked after news of the fire broke this past weekend, with many in Norwalk expressing their deepest sorrow and condolences toward the family.

Norwalk Public Schools released a statement Saturday afternoon and noted the incident was tragic and devastating.

"Our deepest condolences go out to family and friends impacted by this tragedy," the statement reads. "School counselors and staff stand ready to provide support to all who may need it when school resumes Monday."

The city also released a statement over the weekend on Facebook, offering condolences to the family.

"City, community and Norwalk Public Schools leaders are working to make sure that the family and all those grieving have the support they need during this time and in the weeks and months ahead," the statement reads. "The city thanks the superintendent for activating our network of school counselors and other staff members to meet the potential need of students impacted by this news ahead of school on Monday."

The city also thanked the Norwalk Fire Department for arriving at the scene minutes after the fire was reported, as well as Norwalk Emergency Management for directly supporting the family.

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