MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis community is coming together to help the loved ones of the nine people killed in a house fire in South Memphis Monday.
Among the victims were six children.
One child is still in the hospital fighting for his life.
Tuesday morning, friends of the children’s father, Ernest Jett, gathered at the intersection of Cooper and Union in South Memphis with buckets in hand to collect money from drivers.
” I have five daughters and eighteen grandkids, and I couldn’t begin to imagine the pain that they are going through,” said Trina Wright.
Within minutes people were handing over money and dropping twenties in the bucket.
Wright said Jett, his wife and mother will need a lot in the days and weeks to come.
“Funeral expenses for nine people. Funeral expenses for one person is expensive. So, nine times. Wow,” said Erik Jones.
Jones is Jett’s best friend.
He said the pain they are all feeling right now is indescribable.
“I’m hollow in the inside right now,” said Jones.
He said he now he’s just doing what friends do.
“It’s going to be hard. It’s something you’ll never forget, but if we can just come together as a city, a community, as one big family, we can help him push through it.”
Eternal Peace Church is also holding a barbecue and fundraiser for the family Saturday at 1251 South Willet Street.
