Background
The Tragedy:
The house fire occurred Tuesday night (August 21st.) at 142 Franklin St. in Meriden. By 11 PM the family was at Mid-state Hospital in Meridan. Hunter Jandreau, Son to Rebekah Delisle and Rob Jandreau was unable to be resuscitated and died of smoke inhalation. Ricky and Melissa D’Aniello’s children, Tristyn and Trent were badly burned. Little Ricky, and Heather D’Aniello’s Two Children, Hailey and Joey, were checked and are fine. Also in the house at the time was Denise D’Aniello (Ricky and Heather’s mom) and Rowena Wilson (Denise’s mom). Trent and Tristyn were air-lifted by Life Star to Boston and are at the Shriners Children’s Burn Hospital. Four-year-old Tristyn has burns on 30 percent of his body, while Trent, 2, has burns on about 17 percent of his body.
Melissa and Rebekah had put the children to bed, and gone to the gym. Rick was away on business in NY. Denise and Rowena, the children’s grandmother and great-grandmother, were home for the children. The fire presumably began with a window air conditioning unit above Tristyn and Trent’s bed on the second floor, but the cause of the fire is still being investigated. The boys ran from the flames and hid under a bed in another part of the second floor until they were rescued by firefighters. Hunter was sleeping on the third floor, and was died by carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. Ricky and cousins were on the first floor with Denise and Rowena. Neighbors saw the flames in the second floor, and went to help. They were able to help those on the first floor, but were unable to go upstairs. Melissa and Rebekah received a call at the gym from a friend (a police officer) alerting them to a fire on that street. They arrived home to see the firefighters at work rescuing the children and putting out the flames.
Rebekah and Hunter:
Hunter’s funeral and burial took place Saturday Aug 25 in Meridan. The family appreciates everyone who attended, and who sent flowers and cards. It was a difficult day for everyone, but the love and concern shown means a lot to the family. Rebekah is still not communicating much, and is in need of much prayer for health and well-being. She is currently staying with Rob’s parents, Hunter’s grandparents, in Meridan. It is unclear what she will do or where she will go after she begins to recover from this immense loss in her life.
Melissa, Rick, and Tristyn and Trent:
The surgeon treating Tristyn and Trent at Shriners is considered the best in the country for burns on children. Many people choose to come to this particular Shriners to seek his care. All of the care at that hospital is free. It is a true blessing that they have the best treatment possible for the boys.
Thursday, Aug 23: Both boys had debridement surgery (removing the burned skin). Donor skin was grafted on. The doctor told them that in 4-5 weeks their body will begin to reject the donor skin, and that another surgery will be done before the rejection occurs. The surgeon reminded them that even if the boys seem to respond favorably physically, they still may die. They may suffer from severe brain damage, or never regain mental faculties. There can be numerous situations that can arise on a daily basis that they could die from. For example, yesterday Tristyn had to be chemically restrained after a coughing episode pulled loose tubing to his lungs. That resulted in a very dicey 10 minute episode where he struggled for air as his lungs are still unable to function.
Friday, Aug 24: Both boys had CAT scans to determine if there was brain swelling. It is common for burn victims to have swelling and fluid build around the brain. Thankfully, there is very minimal swelling. We were told this means there will not be any brain damage from this issue.
Saturday, Aug 25: We have been told the boys will get much worse before they get better. Please diligently pray for their bodies this week. Their condition will worsen as their lungs shed the lining that was damaged by the smoke. Then their bodies can begin to rebuild this lining. Trent has begun developing symptoms indicating this process is starting, Tristyn will probably show signs tomorrow.
The Future:
The boys will most likely be at the hospital for months. Thankfully, Melissa and Rick have a place in the hospital that is theirs for as long as the boys are admitted. Even after release from the hospital, they would be required to return to the hospital twice a week to be checked. They are concerned that they will need a more reliable car for that frequent travel. Rick’s company has thankfully given him some paid time off. Little Ricky is staying with cousin Tommy, in Meridan. He will begin school there next week.
Ways to Help:
Prayer: There are so many people involved, so many hearts crushed. Please ferverently pray for those affected by this tragedy. Rebekah and Melissa will have such different struggles, and Dan and Lois need strength and wisdom to support them. Pray for the faith of the family as they are undergoing such a tragedy.
Financial: There will still be costs for the time in the emergency room, the airlifting (a seperate trip for each boy), plus the funeral/burial costs for Hunter. Then eventually, both Rebekah and Melissa’s family will need help getting re-established. The Delisle’s will also incur lots of travel costs, gas, food, etc as they travel between visiting their daughters. Donations can be submitted to the Brown’s anytime, or on Sunday’s at church (if clearly marked).
Physical Items: It is best that we refrain from clothing/household donations at this time. Neither Rebekah nor Melissa is in a position to need much of this type of goods at the moment. When we have a better idea of their future plans, we can reconsider this type of donations.
Gift Cards/Gift certificates: Store cards can be used to buy the necessary items that Melissa and Rebekah need in their specific situations, as well as clothing that fits properly. Gift cards/certificates to restaurants would be helpful to both the Delisle’s as they commute, and Melissa and Ricky to have a meal outside the hospital. Gas cards would be great for the Delisle’s as they are covering many miles between Western Mass, CT and Boston. (Exxon is the station available on the turnpike) An EasyPass would also be a helpful service to them for tolls on the Pike.
Sympathy and Encouragement cards:
Cards to Ricky, Melissa, little Ricky, Trent, Tristyn D’Aniello and Denise D’Aniello: Shriners Hospital for Children, 8th Floor, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114-2699.
Cards for grandparents Dan and Lois Delisle, and Hunter’s mother Rebekah Delisle can be sent to 144 East Street, Chicopee MA 01020.
Cards can be sent to Hunter’s father, Rob Jandreau and other Grandparents, Bob and Sandy Jandreau, at 96 Robbin Hill Rd. in Meriden, CT 06450.
Dan’s Mom, Edna Delisle. After the loss of her husband a couple of weeks ago, and now this tragedy with her great-grandchildren, she is overcome. Her address is 52 White Birch Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01020.
Contact Info:
If you would like to send any support to the Delisle’s, a number of area churches are collecting funds on behalf of the entire Delisle family. You can do so through West Springfield church of Christ, 61 Upper Church Street, West Springfield, MA 01089. Ethan and I are in touch with Dan and Lois a couple of times a day, so we can pass along urgent mesages, and courier financial support to their home if needed. If you would like to contact me, my email address is ashmckbrown@hotmail.com
(The Browns, 84 Reed Street, Agawam, MA 01001)
