Tow Truck Drivers Hold Rally & Donate To Family Who Lost 5 In Fire
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Turning heartbreak into action. A community returns to a burned-out Baltimore home where a grandmother and four children died.
Kai Jackson has more on the heartfelt donations from complete strangers.
The tragedy of what happened has overwhelmed family members. Monday night's act of kindness helps make a difficult situation more bearable.
A fire ripped through the Northeast Baltimore rowhome last Thursday, killing 55-year-old Nancy Worrell, her great-grandson and three grandchildren, all ages one through seven. Worrell's husband Wilson jumped from a second story window and survived but broke his back. It's an overwhelming tragedy that generated immediate community support.
"I'm asking that the entire city put their arms around this family as they go through this unspeakable tragedy," said Baltimore City Councilman Brandon Scott.
On Monday, the call for community help was answered as a convoy of tow trucks rallied in the 5600-block of Denwood Avenue. Tow truck drivers and even two carpet cleaners from the area showed up with both moral support and a donation and gave it to the family.
"On behalf of all the tow truck companies in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, we tried to collect a little donation to give to you," said Jeff Tallie, Knock Out Towing.
"It was amazing to see that we had so much support from people who don't even know the family," said Latanya Blanks, daughter of the Worrells.
These tow truck operators say the amount of money they raised wasn't important. What mattered here is that they helped a family in need.
Investigators have determined that the fire originated in the basement, although the cause hasn't been determined. Two firefighters were also hurt trying to rescue victims.
"It's a tragic situation and when something like this happens, you instantly think something like that could hit home," said Jermaine Wright, WTS Towing.
"This is a special thing to see the community do what they're doing, you know. Some of these guys I even know," said family member Bill Brown.
Counseling services have been made available to family members to help them through this tragedy.
