Family, friends remember fire victims

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - Family and friends said they were in disbelief Sunday, following the deaths of five people , including an infant, in a house fire in Warwick.

Lisa Baldelli-Hunt is the aunt of Dan Janik. She said the 20-year-old was going to propose to his girlfriend, 21-year-old Amanda Villeneuve. The two had a daughter together, 7-month-old Annabelle. All three were killed in Saturday's fire on Buttonwoods Avenue, officials said.

"Dan, Amanda, and Annabelle were a family," Baldelli-Hunt said. "Annabelle was their whole lives; she came into their world and they were thrilled."

Janik, who was the cousin of former Red Sox player Rocco Baldelli, was also remembered by his friends.

"For him to be gone in the blink of an eye like this, it really brings perspective on what life is," said friend Adam Campellone.

"To have him taken away, and knowing he's not going to be here anymore, it's just terrible, " added friend Cory Macchioni.

Janik and Villeneuve's friends, 20-year-old Tayla Lackey of Glocester and 24-year-old Nicholas Jillson of North Smithfield, were also killed in the fire, officials said. Family and friends said the four attended Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket.

Eyewitness News has learned Jillson was the younger brother of Jeff Jillson, who played for the Providence Bruins and Boston Bruins. His father is North Smithfield fire chief Joel Jillson.

Fire crews said the victims were likely overcome with carbon monoxide while they slept , and never woke up.

Warwick fire chief Kevin Sullivan said on Sunday that firefighters had found two smoke detectors in the home, despite earlier reports that there were none. However, he said the detector on the second floor apparently never went off, even though it had a battery.

Investigators h ad not yet determined Sunday night what caused the fire. Chief Sullivan said investigators had determined the fire was not suspicious.