COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER Community Mourns Loss Of Father, Four Children Killed In Fire; Fund Set Up To Assist
Reported by: Dan Matics
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: Jan. 11, 2013 10:27 AM EST
Updated: Jan. 11, 2013 11:15 AM EST
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Jonancy
, Pike County
, Kentucky
The community of Jonancy in Pike County, Kentucky, continues to mourn the five lives lost, including four young children, earlier this week.
"They had their whole future ahead of them; it's gone," neighbor Maryanne Tackett said.
Maryanne and Danny Tackett's grandson lives with them. He rides the same school bus and is in the same Headstart class as two of the children who died in that tragic fire. The little boy knew something was wrong after seeing their pictures on television.
"It just hurts to see a family have to go through that," Danny Tackett said.
Maryanne Tackett said she did her best to offer comfort. "My heart sunk and I told him they were in heaven," she said.
Investigators have not released a cause of the blaze yet. A space heater was found in the room where the family was sleeping.
Tammie Tucker, the mother of the children who were killed, was severely injured in that fire while trying to save her children. Tucker is currently listed in serious condition in a Lexington area hospital. Family members told Eyewitness News that she is improving.
Meanwhile, the community is trying to help financially. The family did not have any insurance policy. A fund has been set up to assist them through any U.S. Bank. If you want to contribute, just ask for the Tucker-Wilfong Memorial Fund.
This weekend, the community has organized a donation drive, that will take place alongside the road in Jonancy.
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Dan Matics
