Fred Grant, of Bridgeport, sat on the front steps of a church across from Washington Park Monday afternoon and cried inconsolably.

"I will never be the same again - never," Grant said.

His son - 33-year-old Kenneth Mims, of New Haven - was killed in a house fire in the 500 block of Elm Street in New Haven early Sunday morning, Grant said.

"Everybody from Norwalk to Hartford - and all across Connecticut - knew and loved Ken, and their lives are better because of that," Grant said.

The fire started on the second floor of a multifamily house around 6:30 a.m., fire officials aid.

Mims - the father of teenage twins - died of smoke inhalation, officials said.

"These balloons are a symbol of [our] endless love for the greatest father, son and nephew in the world -and we're releasing them with thanks to God for all of the beauty he brought into the world," said Mims' aunt, Brandy Robinson, speaking to more than 100 people who gathered on Elm Street Monday night.

"We want to thank the brave [people] who rushed into the house to try and save my nephew. Thank you, thank you, thank," Robinson said.

Fire officials say the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The family created a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses.