Madonna Badger, the mother who survived the Christmas morning fire in Stamford that killed her three daughters, made her way into a New York City funeral home on Wednesday for the wake for the young girls.
Hundreds were expected to attend the wake at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home on Manhattan's Upper East Side.
Lily Badger, 10, and her 7-year-old twin sisters, Sarah and Grace, were killed in the fire that swept through the Shippan Avenue home on Dec. 25.
The fire was started by embers from fireplace ashes that were discarded in a bag in a mudroom or entryway of the home. The ashes were removed from the fireplace because the girls were concerned about Santa coming down the chimney, according to the Associated Press.
Badger's parents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson, also died in the fire.
Madonna Badger's estranged husband and father of the children, Matthew Badger, joined her at the funeral home on Wednesday evening.
Michael Borcina, Madonna Badger's boyfriend, who also survived the fire, was there as well.
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Family friend Kate Askew read a statement from the funeral home on Wednesday night.
"The incredible outpouring of love and compassion that has come from our community and around the world has been amazing, and it has touched them deeply through this terrible tragedy," she said.
She said the Badgers wanted to thank the Stamford Fire Department, as well as all of the rescue personnel, the community of Shippan, the City of Stamford and the State of Connecticut.
Firefighters from Stamford, who have been dealing with their own emotions since the fire, attended the wake.
Many firefighters hoped for closure, but for some, it was still too difficult.
"When you see those little caskets, it (closure) wasn't there. I got to get my guys to get me out of here," said Stamford Fire Chief Antonio Conte, who was overcome with emotion.
In all, 16 firefighters made the trip to New York for the wake. Forty Stamford firefighters are expected to attend the funeral on Thursday.
Others who didn't make the trip to Manhattan paid their respects to the family on Wednesday night.
"Everyone would want to show their support and be in New York today, but since they can't, they're doing it in their own way," Rev. Robert Post, Stamford Fire Rescue chaplain, said. "Some churches are having services, memorials or prayer services this evening to commemorate what's going on in Campbell Funeral Home."
The public memorial service will be held at St. Thomas Church in Manhattan at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
