Springfield raises money for family of man killed in Indian Orchard fire

SPRINGFIELD – Friends and relatives are raising money to assist the family of the man who died Wednesday in a fire at his Indian Orchard home.

They identified the victim as Rafael Zavala. A gofundme.com appeal said he leaves behind his partner, who works as a nurse, and their three young children.

The fire was spotted at 11:15 a.m. at 212 Essex St. by someone passing by who reported seeing heavy smoke. Firefighters found Zavala inside the home and provided first aid. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center by ambulance but died of his injuries, said Springfield Fire Capt. Drew Piemonte.

The gofundme.com appeal has raised more than $25,000.

In addition, the Valley Wheel Over-28 Baseball League, to which Zavala belonged with his father, is raising money to help Zavala's partner and their children. The home, which was owned by Zavala and his partner, received heavy smoke damage, so the family has been displaced from the fire and lost a lot of their belongings.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Springfield Fire Department, Springfield Police, the State Fire Marshal's Office and State Police assigned to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni, Piemonte said.

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