Madonna Badger Speaks At Funeral For Three Daughters, Tragically Killed In Christmas Day Blaze

Stamford Fire Family

Lomer and Pauline Johnson, Lily Badger and twins Grace and Sarah Badger (credit: CBS 2).

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) Family, friends and the Stamford community will gather today to say goodbye to the three girls killed in the horrific Christmas morning fire in Connecticut.

WCBS880s Paul Murnane Previews The Funeral

A public funeral service for 10-year-old Lily Badger and 7-year-old twins Sarah and Grace will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Manhattan.

A private service will be held later at Woodlawn Cemetery for the girls and their grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson, who were also killed in the blaze.

Authorities said fireplace embers left in a bag in the mudroom of the home started the deadly blaze.

The girls mother, advertising executive Madonna Badger, and her boyfriend, Michael Borcina, escaped the fire.

On Wednesday, Badger leaned on the arms of two funeral home workers as she a! ttended the wake for her daughters and parents at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home on Madison Avenue.

The girls father, Matthew Badger, who lives in Battery Park City, along with several Stamford firefighters also attended the private wake.

This is an incredibly difficult time for all involved, a family friend said.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau With The Mayor

Stamford fire chief Antonio Conte says it has been about more than fighting the fire itself.

For his men, it has been dealing with the aftermath photographing the bodies and then carefully removing them from the house.

For many young firefighters, the trauma will not easily disappear, and Mayor Mike Pavia says experienced counselors have been brought in to help.

Firefighters who were on the scene during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and they brought a considerable amount of knowledge and experience, said Pavia.

The mayor says as the healing process continues, city officials are considering ramping its public fire safety program.

Funding scholarships is another way he believes will help ease the grief.

A foundation has been establishedto honor the memories of the Badger girls. The mission of the Other 364 Foundation is to champion compassion, according to its website.