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‘He was perfect:’ Family friend remembers 4-year-old who died in Cocoa house fire

Henry Basinger, 4, died during a Cocoa house fire Friday, according to fire officials

COCOA, Fla. – After Brevard County fire authorities said a child died Friday night in a Cocoa house fire, J’Aimee Carroll remembered 4-year-old Henry Basinger’s love of trains and Paw Patrol.

“He was perfect. He loved everybody. He just wanted to be everyone’s best friend,” Carroll, a friend of the family, said.

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Carroll said she was asked to help start a fundraiser to pay for a new place to live and for Henry’s funeral.

Carroll spoke to News 6 Monday outside the funeral home, where she said she was also helping the parents plan Henry’s service.

Donations reached more than $16,000, and GoFundMe told News 6 that a second fundraiser for the family brought in thousands more.

“Words cannot express just how grateful we are that these people have stepped up to the plate,” Carroll said. “It’s really heartwarming.”

Awaiting the complete findings of the state fire marshal, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said the fire looks to be an accident.

When asking Carroll how the fire started, she said the family wasn’t ready to talk about it.

Carroll said restaurant chains are donating food to the family for this week. She added that Basinger’s mother is a server at the Viera Texas Roadhouse.

To donate to the Basinger family, you can find their fundraisers here and here.

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About the Author
James Sparvero headshot

James joined News 6 in March 2016 as the Brevard County Reporter. His arrival was the realization of a three-year effort to return to the state where his career began. James is from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from Penn State in 2009 with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

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