4th House Fire Victim Dies

An accidental house fire that took the lives of a grandmother and two young children Tuesday has claimed a fourth life.

Romello Jackson, 8, was taken off life support Wednesday evening following the deadly Tuesday morning blaze at 3720 E. Paris St., the Tampa Police Department has confirmed. Sheryl James, 61, Emjay Jackson, 3, and Reshard Ashley, 8, died on Tuesday.

Fire rescue officials say the blaze began in a bedroom due to an electrical cord failure. With no smoke detectors in the home, the family was caught off guard by the flames that quickly ripped through the single-story home.

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Hoping to prevent similar tragedies in the future, the Tampa and Hillsborough County fire marshals offices teamed up with the American Red Cross Wednesday to canvas the neighborhood surrounding Paris Street. Officials went door-to-door performing fire safety assessments and installing sealed-battery, 10-year smoke detectors in 61 homes. A total of 171 smoke detectors were given out during the one-day push.

More free smoke detectors are available. Tampa residents interested in obtaining one may call the Tampa Fire Marshal’s Office at 813-274-7000 for details. Hillsborough County residents may call fire rescue at 813-272-6600.

“Tampa Fire Rescue and the Fire Marshal cannot stress enough the importance of having working smoke detectors in the home,” Jason Penny, Tampa Fire Rescue spokesman, said. “Smoke detectors save lives.”

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