As a Springfield family tries to move forward after a fatal fire, the community continues to raise money to help the family.
“Thank you all for your love and caring words… you all have been the backbone to the Rivera-Quiles family and we appreciate everything,” Jailyne Rivera, one of the family members, wrote on Facebook.
Her sister, 18-year-old Janayrah Rivera, died in the fire on Oct. 16. Another sister, Janaiyah, was moved from the ICU to a general care unit over the weekend. And one of her brothers, Ricky Rivera, managed to escape by jumping out a second story window at 118 Grover St. in Springfield.
The fire broke out around 5:20 a.m. and ultimately destroyed the house, which will be condemned by the city. Along with causing the death of Janayrah Rivera and injuring others inside the home, the blaze also killed three pet dogs in the home, the GoFundMe page details.
Janayrah Rivera, who was stuck in her room above the porch, where the fire started, was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield with serious burn injuries. She died at the hospital, according to the GoFundMe page.
The blaze remains under investigation by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Authorities are seeking the public’s help to identify a person of interest and asking residents who live near 118 Grover St. to check any camera footage recorded between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Monday to see if anyone passing by was recorded, said James Leydon, spokesperson for district attorney’s office.
Nicknamed Nany, Janayrah Rivera turned 18 years old in May. She was a 2023 graduate of Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in Springfield and was pursuing a career in early childhood education as a daycare teacher at New Horizons Daycare, the GoFundMe page says.
Janayrah Rivera, nicknamed Nany, died on Monday after a fire burned through a home on Grover Street in Springfield. Courtesy of Jailyne Rivera.
“Nany was a funny, spontaneous, bright young lady,” the GoFundMe page states, “and she loved her family and was ready for her future outside of high school.”
The GoFundMe page has already exceeded its fundraising goal, raising more than $29,000. The funds will go toward paying for the expenses of the funeral for Janayrah Rivera and the medical costs of her older sister Janaiyah Rivera, who requires three to four skin graft surgeries.
“Keep Janaiyah in your prayers while she goes through this journey of recovery and mourning the loss of her baby sister and best friend,” the page reads.
The family has not been able to have a funeral for Janayrah Rivera as they want to wait until the youngest sister can attend. Instead, they held a candlelight vigil and fundraiser on Sunday.
“I feel like I don’t want to be doing this right now because it makes it more real that I’m not going to see my baby anymore,” Michelle Quiles, Janayrah Rivera’s mother, told Western Mass News.
Many have also left messages on the GoFundMe for the family.
“We love you so much, such a beautiful soul, a beautiful smile. You’re very loved and I’m truly grateful for you being apart of our life’s and Ismaels,” Marianna Navarro wrote. “I’m so heartbroken May god please protect your family and my prayers are sent.”
