Community rallies support for victims of fatal fire.

Byline: Lisa D. Welsh

LEOMINSTER - Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of Wednesday night's two-alarm fire that claimed the life of Jakob Chesbrough, 16, while a community offers support to survivors.

According to Nicole Valentine, director of emergency services/public affairs for the Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, two families living at 179 West St. have been displaced and received funds for food. A team of mental health professionals who volunteer for the Red Cross has met with the teenager's family for grief counseling.

"It's an extremely difficult time for them," Mrs. Valentine said. "They are surrounded by family and friends right now. That is crucial to get them through the next few days."

Officials said Jakob lived on the second floor in the house with his mother, Kimberley H. Moniz, and two sisters. Katie, 14, and Tory, 15, were also in the house when the fire started, but they escaped. Pierre "Pete" J. and Jane K. Choquette, who own the building, live on the first floor and also got out of the burning building.

Nadine Binkley, superintendent of Leominster public schools, where the three siblings attended school, said Mrs. Moniz told her yesterday that funeral services for Jakob are being planned.

"I do want to stress that they lost everything in the fire," Ms. Binkley said. "They could use help from the whole community."

Anyone wishing to make a donation may make checks payable to the City of Leominster Relief Fund and mail or deliver it in care of Katy Kirouac to Fidelity Bank, 9 Leominster Connector, Leominster, MA 01453.