Syracuse University student, sorority sister, Kayla Corrigan dies in Massachusetts house fire on Christmas Eve

A beloved sorority sister — just months away from graduating from Syracuse University — tragically died in a house fire on Christmas Eve.

Kayla Corrigan, 21, was staying at her family home in Needham, Mass., about 15 miles outside Boston, for the holidays when a fire that “appears to have started in the home’s garage” broke out around 5 a.m. Wednesday, officials said in a press release.

“Upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy smoke and flames coming from the three-story, single-family home,” fire officials said.

“The first responding personnel attempted entry but were pushed back by the raging fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure and caused catastrophic damage.”

Two adults were able to escape the blaze, but Corrigan was unable to make it out and was later found inside the charred home.

The fire was so severe it drew a four-alarm response, with roughly 75 firefighters battling for more than seven hours to bring it under control, officials said.

Investigators identified multiple potential heat sources in the area, all believed to be accidental, that may have contributed to the blaze.

“We haven’t determined the cause of this fire yet, but we know that tragedies like this one are most common in the winter months,” State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine said.

“Our thoughts have been with the family since the early morning hours of December 24 and they remain with the family today,” Needham Fire Chief Thomas Conroy added.

Corrigan’s death was announced Friday in an email sent to students and faculty by Syracuse University, the Daily Orange reported.

The 21-year-old was pursuing a degree in marketing management at the Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University Senior Vice President and Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves said.

“Kayla immersed herself in internships, strengthening her understanding of navigating marketing decisions in an evolving global landscape,” Groves wrote.

He urged students and others impacted by the tragedy to utilize available counseling and support services.

Corrigan, a beloved member of Sigma Delta Tau, was remembered by her sorority as having a “beautiful presence” and being “such a kind and caring soul.”

“Everyone who knew her recognized her kindness, her warmth, her humor, and her selflessness,” the sorority wrote on Instagram.

“Kayla will forever hold a special place in our hearts and will be undoubtedly missed.”

A GoFundMe launched following her death described the college senior as a “beautiful and beloved sister and daughter.”

“Words cannot express the depth of our grief or the shock of this loss,” the organizer wrote. “Her absence has left a space that can never be filled.”

The fundraiser added that the fire not only claimed Corrigan’s life but also destroyed the family’s home and belongings, leaving them facing both emotional devastation and sudden financial hardship.

“Their lives were changed in an instant,” the organizer wrote.

As of Tuesday morning, the GoFundMe had raised more than $180,000, with donations pouring in from Syracuse University sororities, fraternities, and the men’s hockey team.