Cops: Smoke Inhalation Caused Commack Woman's Death

Commack native Kerry Fitzsimons was that tore through a student-rented house near Marist College Saturday, Poughkeepsie police confirmed Monday.

The 21-year-old Marist student died of smoke inhalation, police said.

The cause of the fire is still undertermined and under investigation, but officials said there was "no indication whatsoever" that the fire was intentionally set, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Marist student Eva Block of Woodbridge, Conn., and Kevin Johnson of New Canaan Conn., a student at Dutchess Community College, were also identified as smoke inhalation victims in the blaze.

A female co-worker who answered the telephone Monday at Munro Music in East Northport, where Fitzsimons worked for several years, said, "She was loved. We're all devastated," according to Newsday.

Marist President Dennis J. Murray mourned the students' passing in a letter sent to alumni Tuesday.

"A tragedy this profound, affecting our entire community, is unprecedented in the history of Marist College," he said. "We are doing everything possible to support the families of the victims, as well as the survivors and their families."

A campus memorial is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 11:15 a.m.

Read the full report here.