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Communities Come Together To Support Family Of Fire Victims
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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Communities came together to help the family of two fatal fire victims as a third sibling continues to be treated for his injuries.
Last weekend, a house fire in Point Pleasant claimed the lives of a brother and sister.
On Friday night, the basketball game between Point Pleasant and Gallia Academy was merely the backdrop for fundraising.
More than $10,000 was raised by different community groups and businesses.
Admission to the game was free, but people in attendance were asked to make donations that will go to the family.
"We need and appreciate everybody who has been helping because without that support, I don't see how we could get back up," the victims’ uncle Noah Smith said.
Red ribbons of remembrance were on display throughout the standing-room-only crowd.
Bill and LaTanya Smith, and three of their children, Tiffany Grant, 26, Tre Smith, 14, and Braxton Smith, 11, were all in their home on Main Street when it caught fire.
Family members say they were able to knock an air conditioning unit out of a second story window to try to get out.
Tiffany, Tre and Braxton all suffered severe burns.
Braxton passed away from his injuries Sunday at a hospital in Columbus.
His sister Tiffany passed away from her injuries at a Huntington hospital Monday evening.
Tre continues to be treated at a hospital in Cincinnati, Noah says.
"Losing Braxton, losing Tiffany… One was horrific, two became unbearable, and three — if the word is true, God says he will not put more on you than you can bear, then he can't take Tre,” Noah said. “Tre has to make it. He has to survive."
The funeral is Saturday at Point Pleasant High School. Visitation begins at 1 p.m., with the funeral following at 2 p.m.
This article was contributed by WSAZ.com