Quick News Spot

The 4-year-old victim of Tuesday's fatal fire in North Adams has been identified as Ensley LaCosse

By Berkshire Eagle

The 4-year-old victim of Tuesday's fatal fire in North Adams has been identified as Ensley LaCosse

NORTH ADAMS -- The 4-year-old girl who died in a fire Tuesday night has been identified as Ensley LaCosse, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

The fire, which destroyed a duplex at 188-190 W. Shaft Road, injured five other residents.

The duplex housed a married couple, Joe and Karen Cantoni on one side, and their relatives, the LaCosses -- a family of five, with parents Samantha and Eddie LaCosse, and their three children -- on the other. Two other members of the LaCosse family suffered serious injuries.

North Adams fire claims life of 4-year-old, injures five others

When firefighters arrived, they found five of the seven occupants outside the duplex, which was fully engulfed; Joe Cantoni was not home at the time. Officials said Ensley died inside the home.

The fire took 90 minutes to control. Clarksburg and Williamstown firefighters offered mutual aid to the North Adams Fire Department.

A GoFundMe started by the family with a goal of $20,000 has raised more than $100,000 in the last few days, with more than 900 donors.

Danielle Guay, the organizer of the fundraiser, expressed her thanks to all the donors "during this devastating time."

"The way the community is coming together to help leaves me speechless," said Guay, the niece of Karen Cantoni and cousin of Samantha LaCosse. "Your support is so appreciated and I cannot thank you enough."

The family is still seeking a number of items to fill immediate needs, including queen beds, sheets, kitchen items, electronics.

The North Adams fire and police, state fire marshals, state police detectives and the Department of Fire Services Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit are investigating.

The cause of the fire has not been determined, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, and two LaCosse family members remained in serious condition on Friday. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to release the cause of Ensley's death.

Previous articleNext article

POPULAR CATEGORY

corporate

4605

tech

4045

entertainment

5675

research

2573

misc

6022

wellness

4588

athletics

5905