KILLINGLY, Conn. — Connecticut State Police have publicly identified the two people who died in a mobile-home fire at Fall Brook Park earlier this month, releasing the names following confirmation from the state medical examiner’s office.
The victims were Randy Fitta, 63, and Lisa Bourk, 59, both residents of Killingly, Connecticut. Both lived at the Fall Brook Park residence where the fatal fire occurred.
The identification was released on September 16, 2026, approximately twelve days after the fire itself. Police said the identifications followed the transfer of the victims to the State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which is standard procedure in fatal fire investigations.
The Fire
Firefighters from the South Killingly Fire Department were called to the Fall Brook Park mobile-home community shortly before 1:15 a.m. EDT on September 4, 2026 . The fire was reported in the early morning hours, when most residents in the tight-knit community were asleep.
Upon arrival, crews encountered a mobile home that was already heavily involved in fire. According to fire officials, there were reports that people were still inside the burning structure .
Firefighters initiated what they described as an aggressive interior search and attack on the fire, simultaneously working to suppress the flames and locate any occupants. During this operation, they found and removed two people from the home .
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Despite the best efforts of first responders, neither survived.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene as flames lit up the night sky. Cynthia Nyotte, a neighbor, told reporters: “I came out of my door and the flames were huge. It was red. Everything was red. I was scared. I thought I was gonna die” .
Another neighbor, Elma Belderama, described knocking on doors to alert others: “I knocked on the door of my neighbor that I know I said, ‘there’s a fire!’” .
The mobile homes in Fall Brook Park are closely bunched together, which made it difficult for firefighters to maneuver their trucks and prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring units. Belderama noted: “If it’s windy, the whole place is going to burn” .
The Victims: Randy Fitta and Lisa Bourk
Randy Fitta, 63, and Lisa Bourk, 59, were both residents of Fall Brook Park in Killingly. The Fall Brook Park community is a mobile-home park located near Route 6 in northeastern Connecticut.
While authorities have not released extensive biographical details about either victim, the “Faile-Hood” surname pattern in the earlier Harlem case does not apply here—these are adult victims in their sixties and fifties, identified by state police following medical examiner confirmation.
Both Fitta and Bourk were long-time residents of the community, according to the limited information available. Neighbors described them as quiet, friendly people who kept to themselves and did not bother anyone.
The relationship between the two victims has not been publicly disclosed by authorities. It remains unknown whether they were spouses, partners, relatives, or simply housemates.
Investigation Status
The fire remains under investigation. The Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office is working in conjunction with the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit to determine the origin and cause of the blaze .
No accused person or criminal allegation has been reported in connection with this fire. Authorities have not suggested arson, negligence, or any other cause. The investigation is proceeding as a standard fatal-fire inquiry, which is routine in cases involving deaths.
Police have not released any final medical-examiner findings beyond the identification of the victims. The cause and manner of death, as determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, have not been publicly disclosed.
Several key questions remain unanswered:
· Fire origin and cause: Where did the fire start, and what sparked it?
· The victims’ relationship: Were Randy Fitta and Lisa Bourk related, married, or otherwise connected?
· Medical examiner findings: What were the specific causes of death beyond the preliminary identification?
· Further public reports: Will authorities issue additional updates as the investigation progresses?
The Connecticut State Police and the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office have not indicated when they expect to complete their investigation or release further findings.
Community Response
The deaths of Fitta and Bourk have shaken the Fall Brook Park community. Neighbors described them as “nice quiet people” who “didn’t bother nobody” and “stayed by themselves” .
One neighbor, Cynthia Nyotte, recalled speaking with one of the victims just hours before the fire: “I had said good afternoon to him. He went in his house at 4 p.m.” That was the last time she saw them .
Nyotte expressed the raw grief felt throughout the community: “It’s hell, watching somebody that close to you. They’re too young to die” .
The tight-knit nature of mobile-home communities like Fall Brook Park means that losses are felt acutely. Neighbors know each other’s routines, voices, and vehicles. Losing two residents at once leaves a silence that is difficult to describe.
As the investigation continued, crews secured the scene and brought in a backhoe with plans to demolish the charred remains of the mobile home to make the area safe. A small gas tank was removed, and several vehicles were moved so that the neighborhood could rest at ease .
Mobile-Home Fire Safety Concerns
The Killingly fire highlights a broader safety issue that affects millions of Americans: mobile homes and manufactured housing are disproportionately deadly in fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, modern structure fires can reach flashover—the point at which a room becomes so hot that everything combustible ignites simultaneously—in as little as three to five minutes. Inside a mobile home, this timeline can be even shorter.
The construction of manufactured homes contributes to this danger. Lightweight framing, thin wall coverings, and synthetic materials create conditions where fire can spread from one end of the structure to the other in minutes. There is often no slow build-up; by the time occupants are awakened by smoke or alarms, the window for escape may already be closing.
Approximately 19 million Americans live in manufactured housing. Many of these homes were built before modern federal safety standards took effect in 1976, meaning they may lack critical fire-safety features such as adequate egress windows, fire-resistant materials, and interconnected smoke alarms.
For residents of mobile-home communities, fire-safety experts recommend:
· Knowing two ways out of every room and practicing escape routes regularly.
· Testing smoke alarms monthly and replacing batteries annually.
· Keeping space heaters at least three feet from anything combustible.
· Never storing flammable liquids inside the home.
· Getting out first if a fire breaks out and calling 911 from outside.
In closely packed mobile-home parks like Fall Brook Park, the risk of fire spreading between units is also a significant concern. The proximity of homes means that a fire in one unit can quickly threaten neighbors, as was evident in the Killingly blaze.
The Fall Brook Park Community
Fall Brook Park is a mobile-home community located in Killingly, a town in Windham County in northeastern Connecticut. The park is situated near Route 6, a major east-west artery that connects the area to Providence, Rhode Island, and Hartford, Connecticut.
Killingly is a small town with a population of approximately 17,000 residents. Like many rural communities in Connecticut, it has a mix of residential areas, small businesses, and agricultural land. The town is known for its quiet character and close-knit neighborhoods.
Mobile-home communities like Fall Brook Park provide affordable housing options for many residents, including seniors, working families, and individuals on fixed incomes. The close proximity of homes fosters a sense of community, but also creates unique safety challenges.
What Happens Next
The investigation into the fatal fire at Fall Brook Park continues. The Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office are working together to determine what caused the blaze that claimed the lives of Randy Fitta and Lisa Bourk.
No timeline has been announced for the completion of the investigation. In fatal-fire cases, investigators typically examine burn patterns, electrical systems, heating equipment, and other potential ignition sources. Interviews with witnesses and neighbors may also provide clues.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has completed the identification process but has not released final autopsy findings. The cause and manner of death will be documented in the medical examiner’s report, which may become public record once the investigation concludes.
Funeral arrangements for Randy Fitta and Lisa Bourk have not been publicly announced. The families of both victims have requested privacy during this difficult time.
As the community of Fall Brook Park mourns, the investigation serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of residential fires and the importance of fire safety education, early detection, and adequate escape planning—especially in manufactured housing where every second counts.
Conclusion
The identification of Randy Fitta, 63, and Lisa Bourk, 59, brings a measure of closure to a tragedy that has shaken the Killingly community. Yet many questions remain unanswered: What caused the fire? Were there warning signs? Could anything have been done differently?
For now, the investigation continues. The Fall Brook Park community is left to mourn two neighbors described as “good people” who kept to themselves and did not bother anyone.
As one neighbor put it: “It’s hell, watching somebody that close to you. They’re too young to die” .
The Connecticut State Police and Killingly Fire Marshal’s Office have asked anyone with information about the fire to come forward. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
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