6-year-old boy killed in Orleans fire identified as Harwich kindergartner
ORLEANS — The 6-year-old boy who died after suffering injuries in a Saturday night fire has been identified as Kyi Odeen Bourne.
A Harwich Elementary School kindergartener, he loved the color red and watching SpongeBob SquarePants and Boss Baby, according to a GoFundMe campaign created by his mother.
"Please join me in holding the Bourne/Thomas family in our hearts following their unimaginable loss. Kyi will be deeply missed by all," said Monomoy Regional School District Superintendent Scott Carpenter in a message to the district community.
Joy Jordan, the community engagement coordinator for the Monomoy schools, said the district has devoted additional staffing and outside resources to Harwich Elementary School this week to help students and staff process the loss.
The Orleans Fire Department received reports of a fire at a house at 177 Route 6A at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday. When they arrived, firefighters saw smoke and fire coming from the second floor of the two-and-a-half-story home and learned the boy was missing.
Orleans Fire Chief George E. Deering IV ordered a second alarm, bringing mutual aid from other communities, and firefighters immediately entered the house to search. They found the "seriously injured" boy who was then taken to an area hospital before later succumbing to his injuries, according to a statement issued by the State Fire Marshal.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this young man. I am incredibly proud of the effort put forth by our members, as well as our mutual aid partners and other agencies, who worked with purpose and poise under challenging conditions," Deering in a statement.
Mother Shantal Thomas has organized a GoFundMe campaign, asking for help to cover funeral expenses for Kyi and to pay for items such as food, clothing and shelter for the family, including her husband, Rahim, and 8-year-old daughter Kylie. By Monday morning, the campaign had 522 donations, raising $31,944 exceeding its $25,000 goal.
The family lost all their belongings, said Carpenter. Gift cards for grocery stores, gas, and department stores, as well as donations of girl's clothing (size 6 or XS), boys clothing (sizes 4T or 5T), women's clothing (sizes L and XL), and men's clothing (sizes S, M, and XL) can be delivered to the Harwich Elementary School lobby at 263 South St.
The Harwich Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization will also open its Monday meeting to brainstorm ways to best support the family. That meeting will be held at the school's library at 7 p.m. Attendees are asked to enter through Door 5 on the left side of the building.
Four other people inside the house were taken from the scene of the fire on Saturday for medical care. One Orleans police officer was evaluated and released.
Firefighters contained the fire to the unit where it started and the flames were extinguished in about 20 minutes.
While the fire is not suspicious and has been determined accidental by local and state officials, the exact cause remains under joint investigation by the Orleans Fire Department, Orleans Police Department and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office and Cape & Islands District Attorney’s office.
Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Six-year-old boy killed in Orleans fire identified as Harwich student
