A GoFundMe has been set up for the Jacksonville family devastated by a fire at their home that killed three children and critically injured the parents and two other children.
"On the morning of August 26th, the Manati Family experienced a devastating house fire that changed their lives forever," great-niece Alessia Firi wrote on the GoFundMe. "The fire completely destroyed their home leaving them with nothing while tragically taking the lives of three beloved children and left their parents, along with two surviving children, critically injured. Their family and community are completely heartbroken as they face the unbearable pain of this loss while also holding onto hope for healing and recovery. As the Manati Family’s loved ones remain hospitalized,
they are facing an incredibly uncertain road ahead filled with grief, medical challenges, and so many difficult decisions no family should ever have to make."
Firefighters were called to the two-story townhome on Windergate Drive near Old St. Augustine Road at about 5:15 a.m. and were met with heavy flames on the first floor and smoke on the second, according to Chief Percy Golden of the fire department.
Two adults had already escaped with two children, and then firefighters found the three children dead inside. A neighbor told News4Jax that one of the adults tossed a baby from a second-floor window to bystanders and then jumped. They were able to catch them. The family is from Albania.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
"There are no words that can lessen the weight of a morning like this," the fire department said. "Our thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured and displaced, and the JFRD members who responded to this devastating scene."
Scott Butler has been an editor/reporter specializing in public safety coverage for 26 years with The Florida Times-Union. He can be reached at sbutler@jacksonville.com.
(This story has been updated with some fixes and gallery.)
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: GoFundMe set up for family of boys who died in Jacksonville fire
