New Haven Independent

Candra Stewart, mother of three young children, ages 9, 3 and 1, died several days after she was severely burned in a March 8 fire at her apartment in Westville Manor. She was a few days shy of her 30th birthday. (Click here to read her obituary.)

The Brotherhood Leadership Summit of the Christian Community Coalition has been working with residents at the housing development. It put out a call both to raise money for her burial and to help provide for her children, and also to pressure the city to investigate the fire.

Minister Donald Morris (pictured with Stewart’s sister, Katrina) emceed the event.

One of the speakers, Pastor Eugene Brunson, quoted scripture urging believers “to knock and the door shall be opened.”

He suggested it might be important to knock on the door of the housing authority or the Mayor’s office to make sure everyone in their community receives the help they need. Click here to listen to his remarks.

The Christian Community Coalition has been working with the Jewish community to support residents in this isolated housing development near the Hamden line. Sydney Perry, executive director of the Jewish Federation (pictured, second from right), said, “I didn’t know Candra, and I don’t know the pain of losing a mother, the pain of losing a sister, or the pain of losing a daughter. But I do know that coming together as community — a faith community — can bring solace, and I do know that coming together with a promise to build a better world is part of why we’re here today.”

Stewart’s sister Katrina spoke briefly. She said the family wants a more thorough investigation of the fire. She said she knows her sister is in a better place, but here on earth, “We’re not settled.” A flyer with Candra’s photo (shown here) asked anyone who saw or heard anything when the fire broke out to call the NHPD detective bureau at 946-6304 or Stewart at 589-1694.

Christopher Holland is co-chair of the Brotherhood Leadership Summit. Speaking to the crowd of about 50, he said, “We’re going to uplift this family. We’re going to let them know we’ll support them in any way we can. And let me tell you something. We love this community… and we’re going to do everything we said we’d do. There will be no broken promises.”

Morris introduced two of the men who risked their lives to break down the door and pull Stewart out of her burning house. They seemed uncomfortable with the public recognition, and spoke quietly. Perry Flowers said, “I just did it ‘cause it’s family. I think this community is family, and I thought that was my sister in there, so I went in to get her.” Lawrence Caplen said he did what he hoped anyone would do if it were his family trapped in a burning house. Flowers later told a reporter that Stewart was a good friend of his, while Caplen said he knew her by sight but had never spoken with her.

Morris said the Brotherhood had collected $200 so far for the family (some of whose members are pictured, but not Stewart’s mother or children). He urged everyone to contribute, and said checks may be made out to Katrina Stewart, with “Candra Fund” on the memo line, and sent to Stewart at 40 Prospect Lane, Hamden, 06517.

And click here for details about a Saturday community event in Candra’s memory.