The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Neighbors still trying  to recover from fatal fire

Tabitha Coleman sorted through clothes and belongings with her 2-year-old son Isaiah in the duplex where three people died in a fire Nov. 12 on East First Street in Dayton. Staff photo by Ty Greenlees

Ty Greenlees Tabitha Coleman sorted through clothes and belongings with her 2-year-old son Isaiah in the duplex where three people died in a fire Nov. 12 on East First Street in Dayton. Staff photo by Ty Greenlees

ENLARGE PHOTO

Share your condolences for and memories of Kennetha Gay At legacy.com
Share your condolences for and memories of Ken’Ron Treadwell At legacy.com
Share your condolences for and memories of Mirissa Gay At legacy.com
Photos: Fatal fire at Dayton house

Area health group's focus already on child obesity problem
2/10/10
Man reportedly shot at apartment complex
2/10/10
Woman, 19, reports rape, declines to pursue charges
2/10/10
Local pharmacist joins online cardiac venture
2/10/10
Supporters trying to keep aviation film festival on this year
2/10/10
> More headlines

By Lucas Sullivan, Staff Writer Updated 11:26 PM Friday, November 20, 2009

DAYTON — Tabitha Coleman feels guilty for even asking, but she needs help.

Coleman, her boyfriend Tranel Philpot and son Isaiah, were next door in the same duplex at 2280 E. First St. that nearly burned to the ground Nov. 12.

The blaze killed her neighbors Kennetha Gay, Gay’s 3-month-old son Kenron Treadwell and 4-year-old daughter Mirrisa Gay.

Coleman, 22, and Isaiah, 2, are thankful to be alive, but they’ve lost everything.

“The Red Cross helped us get a place around the block, but we’ve got nothing there,” she said. “It’s hard, but we still have each other, so ... it’s hard.”

Her tears cleared tiny spots of soot Friday from baby pictures, Isaiah’s crib and his toys as she was allowed for the first time since the fire to reclaim what she could before the home is demolished.

Isaiah’s baby pictures and some video games were all they could salvage.

Coleman has been picking up all the hours she can at the Goodwill Store at 4912 Airway Road, but she doesn’t have the money to pay Dayton Power & Light to transfer her electric service to the new place.

“They want to charge her $175 just to transfer her electric,” said the home’s owner Mark Pardue. “She barely has the clothes on her back.”

Earlier this week, Coleman tried to make an appointment at the Montgomery County Job Center, but was told it would take some time before she could get financial assistance.

“I can’t get any help,” she said. “It’s been frustrating.”

Coleman and Philpot were sitting in her living room Nov. 12 when they heard a child screaming and the second-story smoke detectors sounding.

Philpot tried to rush into the other side of the duplex to save Kennetha Gay’s children, but couldn’t get through the smoke.

Fire officials said he would have been dead almost instantly had he breathed in the hot smoke.

Gay’s 9-year-old daughter, Mya Davenport, jumped off the front-porch roof to escape the flames and is OK. The 6-year-old child of Gay’s boyfriend was able to escape unharmed.

Fire Chief Herbert Redden said the initial investigation found the fire started in the front room after Gay fell asleep while smoking a cigarette.

Funeral services for Gay and her two children have been set for 1 p.m. Monday at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2107 N. Gettysburg Ave. There will be a viewing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The public is welcome, and the family will be accepting any donations at that time.

Contact this reporter at  

(937) 225-2494 or lsullivan @DaytonDailyNews.com.

If you want to help

Those wanting to donate money to Kennetha Gay’s family can do so at any Chase Bank under the name East Dayton Fire Victim’s Fund. Clothing donations can be left at the House of Wheat Funeral Home, 2017 N. Gettysburg Ave. The family has requested clothes for 9-year-old Mya Davenport in size 10-12 and shoe size 3.

Those who also want to help Tabitha Coleman can drop off any boys clothes, size 2T, and kids shoes, size 8, at 212 N. Jersey St. Women’s clothes, medium size, also can be dropped off there. Furniture, food and toiletries are also being accepted.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

herbie must work for DPL. may 1 day he will need the help on i hope he looks back on this.not bad when you lose a few things but when you lose it all it can be hard

mark
3:34 AM, 11/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

This is my friend and I feel so bad for her and her family..They lost so much not only there friends next door but there belonging too....The things in the picture are items that she is tring to salvage from the fire..

Crystal
12:35 AM, 11/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

It's sad how DP&L treat's people.My prayer's are with her in her and her family...

C-Note
12:30 AM, 11/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

For DP&L to charge $175 to anyone to do a transfer is criminal. For them not to waive their fee for this family is just downright inconsiderate sleaziness. The CEO should ROT in hell.

Gary
3:37 PM, 11/21/2009

REPORT ABUSE

she works at the goodwill on airway rd.her name is Tabitha Coleman if u need anymore info you may contact her at 937-674-8995

mark
2:36 PM, 11/21/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 8 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.