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

Kayla Corrigan, a 21-year-old senior at Syracuse University, died in a devastating house fire early Christmas Eve morning while staying at her family’s home in Needham, Massachusetts. The fire broke out around 5 a.m. at the three-story, single-family home, located about 15 miles outside of Boston.

According to fire officials, the blaze appears to have started in the home’s garage. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they were met with heavy smoke and intense flames already consuming the structure. “The first responding personnel attempted entry but were pushed back by the raging fire, which quickly spread throughout the structure and caused catastrophic damage,” officials said in a press release.

Two adults were able to escape the home safely, but Corrigan was unable to get out. She was later found inside the charred remains of the house. The fire was so severe that it required a four-alarm response, with roughly 75 firefighters battling the flames for more than seven hours before bringing the fire under control.

Investigators are still working to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Multiple potential heat sources were identified in the area where the fire is believed to have started, all of which are thought to be accidental. State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine noted that tragedies like this are most common during the winter months, when heating equipment and electrical usage increase.

“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 said.

News of Corrigan’s death sent shockwaves through the Syracuse University campus. The university announced her passing in an email to students and faculty, describing her as a driven and engaged student who was just months away from graduation. Corrigan was pursuing a degree in marketing management at the Whitman School of Management, where she had immersed herself in internships and hands-on learning.

“Kayla immersed herself in internships, strengthening her understanding of navigating marketing decisions in an evolving global landscape,” Syracuse University senior vice president and chief student experience officer Allen Groves wrote. He also encouraged students impacted by the loss to seek counseling and support services.

Corrigan was also a beloved member of Sigma Delta Tau, where sisters remembered her for her warmth, humor, and selflessness. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the sorority described her 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 post read. “Kayla will forever hold a special place in our hearts and will be undoubtedly missed.”

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe was launched to support Corrigan’s family, whose home and belongings were destroyed in the fire. The fundraiser described her as a “beautiful and beloved sister and daughter,” adding, “Words cannot express the depth of our grief or the shock of this loss.”

Donations have poured in from across the Syracuse community, including sororities, fraternities, and the university’s men’s hockey team. More than $200,000 has already been raised, a powerful testament to the impact Corrigan made in her short life.

Though her life ended far too soon, those who knew Kayla Corrigan say her kindness and selflessness will not be forgotten.