The Hour- The Wilton fire marshal called in state police detectives to investigate the fire that trapped and killed two mentally handicapped residents of a condominium at 11 Village Walk Saturday at around 7:55 a.m., State Police spokesman Lt. Paul Vance said Sunday.The detectives would investigate the possibility of arson and help Wilton Fire Marshal David Kohn determine the origin of the blaze, Vance said.
As of Sunday evening, Wilton fire and police were not commenting on the cause of the fire or identifying the two victims.
However, The Hour has identified Cynthia Timmins and her male roommate as having been the two victims found dead or unconscious in the burning building.
One of the two had passed out in a stairway outside of apartment 11 but died at Norwalk Hospital a short time later. The other was pronounced dead at the scene after being located near the bedroom doorway, according to Kohn.
Timmins' had no relation to the male victim other than that the two were roommates. Both were clients of STAR, a Norwalk organization devoted to bettering the lives of people with developmental disabilities, according to neighbors and co-workers.
Through a STAR-run job placement program, Timmins worked in the produce department at the Village Market, 108 Old Ridgefield Road, for the past eight years. Peter Keating, owner of the market, said he grew up with Timmins and eagerly accepted her as an employee when the job placement program was still being piloted because of their ... (pay article, rest here)
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UPDATE: Two perish in early-morning condominium fire
WILTON -- The two people who died in a condominium fire on Saturday were known as a "loving couple who brought joy to everyone they encountered."
Cynthia Timmins, 54, and Dana Conley, 57, an engaged, mentally-challenged couple who lived at 11 Village Walk, died of smoke inhalation after being trapped in Saturday's blaze at their condominium complex, officials said.
"The loss of life at this fire has been a shock to the Wilton community," said Fire Chief Paul Milositz in a statement. "Our sincerest sympathies go out to the families of both Cynthia and Dana."
Timmins and Conley were clients of STAR Inc., a Norwalk organization devoted to bettering the lives of people with developmental disabilities.
"The STAR family is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our dear friends," said executive director Katie Banzhaf in a statement. "They lived a life rich in friendships and opportunity."
STAR released a story on Thursday recounting the couple's life together. It said the two had been friends for years before becoming a couple, and became engaged on Valentine's Day this year.
The story said Conley had obtained a ring for Timmins but it was being sized and hadn't returned before the fire.
"Cynthia did not get to wear her ring in this life, but she will take it with her on the new adventure that the two have embarked upon together," the story read.
The fire department has no updates on what caused the fire, which began at the complex around 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, but officials believe it began between the kitchen and dining area.
The department has not ruled out arson as a possible cause, and Wilton Fire Marshal David Kohn called in state police detectives last weekend to investigate.
"We'll be sorting through all this information and communicating with other investigators and see what we can turn up in the next day or so, hopefully," he said Thursday.
He said it could possibly be the first multiple-death fire in Wilton and the only fatal fire in Wilton in more than 15 years.
One resident, who lived downstairs from Timmins and Conley, was rescued by a firefighter who carried her out of the burning building, according to her son, Dennis D'Amato.
D'Amato said his mother, 86-year-old Marion D'Amato, was not harmed but her unit would be uninhabitable for some time.
Kohn said residents of the two adjoining units to No. 11 are not permitted back inside yet because of the smoke and water damage to their condominiums.
Timmins worked in the produce department at the Village Market for the past eight years through a STAR-run job placement program.
Peter Keating, owner of the market, said he grew up with Timmins and eagerly accepted her as an employee when the job placement program was still being piloted because of their long-time friendship.
After his family moved to Wilton in 1969, the two shared bus rides to the Wilton Junior High School, Keating said, and knowing her was a blessing to him during some painful and difficult adolescent years.
"We sat next to each other on the bus. They would make fun of her. They would make fun of me, too," Keating said. "But she didn't change very much over the years. She was always very open and trusting and thought only the best of people . . . She had struggles that the rest of us have, and she had her special struggles."
Dana Conley was employed by the Schulhof Animal Hospital through the STAR program for more than 20 years and most recently worked for the City of Norwalk.
Kristin Hawkins, who worked with Conley at the animal hospital, said she was devastated when she heard he had died.
"He was amazing," she said. "Every morning he would come up and say, what'd you have for dinner last night?"
Hawkins said asking detailed questions about dinner was his trademark and how he started every day.
"He was super friendly and always cheerful," she said.
Hawkins also said he was a very dedicated worker and whenever someone asked him to do something "he was always there."
A memorial service will be held on March 7 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's on the Green in Norwalk.
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