Mother Burned in Hartford Fire Has Died: Officials

The Hartford mother who lost her 4-year-old daughter in a fire on Tuesday has died, according to the fire department.  

Susan Therrien, 43, was burned in the fire at her Bedford Street home on Tuesday and succumbed to burn injuries at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, police said.

She was being treated at the Bridgeport Hospital burn unit.

The office of the chief medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death, according to police.

Therrien was the mother of Shantay Drake, who was killed in the fire. Shantay Drake died of smoke inhalation, according to Hartford Fire Captain James McLoughlin.

Shantay was a pre-Kindergarten student at Jumoke Milner.

Another child, 6-year-old Kayla Drake, was treated and released from the hospital.

The Hartford school community will honor the family at a candlelight vigil near the Milner playground tonight at 6 p.m.

The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation.

A fund has been set up to help the family.  

Family Urban Schools of Excellence and Day Pitney law firm have established a fund to assist the family at Bank of America.

Day Pitney will manage the fund and FUSE provided an initial deposit of $1,500.
 
"FUSE is a family organization, and like most families, we come together in times of need,". "We are grateful to Council President Wooden for his leadership in securing Day Pitney's support, and we thank every individual and entity that have offered and contributed their assistance."
 
Shantay also had a sister at the school who is being cared for by family.

Donations can be made to: Shantay Drake Memorial Fund, Bank of America, Albany Avenue Branch, 919 Albany Avenue, Hartford, CT 06112.
 
 

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