Philadelphia Fire Victims Laid to Rest

Philadelphia- When Ms. Eleanor Jacque gave birth to her son Taj on May 18, 2014, in the City of Philadelphia, United States of America (USA), she was blissful; her desire of having a second child, had come through. She felt blessed. For Eleanor and the Jacque family, little Taj

“Was a bundle of joy and the center of our universe.”

They nurtured and treated him with love. The family had a dream for him; grow-up and become a successful adult. But on July 5, 2014, that dream and aspiration shattered; Taj lost his life in a fire tragedy. He was 49 days old, an infant when the cold hands of death snatched him away.

Taj was the youngest of four Liberian-American children, who perished in the 6500 block Gesner Street fire outbreak, which claimed eight houses and hundreds of dollars worth of properties. Others were his four years old brother, Patrick Sanyeah, Jr., and twins, Marie and Marianna Bowah. The Bowahs were also, 4 years old each.

The incident reportedly occurred at 2:00 O'clock in the morning and made more than 50 people homeless. Young Taj and his brother Patrick were away from home when the fire broke-out. They were at the home of Marie and Marianna's mother for an over-night childcare when the tragedy struck. Marie and Marianna's mother was the baby sitter.

Although the City of Philadelphia Fire Department is investigating the fire disaster for now the causation of the incident remains a misery. In July tension flared between some members of the Liberian community in Southwest Philadelphia and authorities of the Fire Department for what the Liberians described as the failure of the Department to respond in a timely manner when the Department was contacted for assistance. But the Department disclaimed the report.

Gesner Street is located in Southwest Philadelphia, previously known as Kingsessing Township in the State of Pennsylvania. The community is one of the City of Philadelphia suburbs. It has a reported population of 80 thousand people, who are predominantly black.

Southwest Philadelphia has a high incidence of crimes and community violence. The Community is plagued by extreme poverty rated at 36 percent. It is a hub for most West African immigrants and refugees from Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Cote D'Ivore. According to media reports, there are more than 15 thousand African immigrants in Southwest Philadelphia. Taj parents and those of the other fire victims reportedly hailed from Grand Gedeh County in Liberia. They fled the ended Liberian civil wars and settled in Southwest Philadelphia in search of greener pasture.

Funeral Rituals
The children's remains were laid to rest on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Saint Peter and Paul Cemetery located in Springfield, Pennsylvania following funeral rites at the Divine Mercy Parish in Southwest Philadelphia. In a tribute to the fallen angels, the President of the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania, Dahn Dennis said the Community was saddened and stunned by the loss sustained. Mr. Dennis praised and thanked LAP, Philadelphia City officials, Philadelphia Red Cross, and the donor community for the assistance given the bereaved families during the home going of their children.

The Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA) in a statement described the incident as unfortunate. It urged the bereaved families and Liberians in the Americas to take courage during this difficult moment. “We share your sorrow and pains, but all is not lost,” the Union noted.

Also, making tribute at the funeral, a representative of the Liberian Ministers Association of Pennsylvania, a Christian organization said “Tragedy of this nature crosses boundaries. We are with you in prayers and supplication.” The group continued “Love is stronger than death.” The head of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations in a statement said, the people of Philadelphia were distraught by the loss. The Commissioner expressed the City's deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and the Liberian Community for the tragedy. Tributes also, came from the Liberian Embassy in Washington, D.C. and a host of other organizations.

Fond Memories
The families of the fallen children in separate obituaries eulogized them and reflected on the good time spent together. The Jacque family in memory of little Taj wrote, “We loved him so much but God loves him best.” For Taj's brother, Patrick, his father Patrick Sanyeah, Sr. said “The birth of this boy changed my life; he was my buddy.” Mr. Sanyeah said “Rest in peace Patrick. I will not stop fighting in getting to the bottom of this case. I will not rest until those who are responsible for your early death are brought to justice.”

For Marie and Marianna, their parents and relatives in a reflection described them as affectionate in relating to anyone, who came across them; they were a source of great joy. They had passion for learning and they had big dreams. “They wanted to be medical doctors to help the sick,” the family remembered.

Community Support
According to LAP former President Shiwoh Kamara, community support for the fire victims and the burial of the children was outstanding. Donations in cash and kind came from LAP, Philadelphia Red Cross, Liberian Ministers Association of Pennsylvania, and US based Liberian musicians led by Princess Fatu Gaflor formerly of the Liberia National Culture Troupe. Mr. Kamara also, thanked the Philadelphia based Liberian mortician Exodus Ahossouhe and the Turay Memorial Funeral Chapel of North Philadelphia for offering their services to the bereaved families and the Liberian community on a pro bono basis. The LAP former President's words of gratitude also, went out to Ms. Patricia Quinn of Final Farewell, a philanthropist, who offered to underwrite the funeral expenses.

The African-American Gospel Artist Manny Fuller and his mother Elder Kim Fuller, and other American and African Gospel Artists were among the many individuals, who got kudos for helping to raise money for the burial and the up keep of the 50 fire victims, who are currently homeless.

Repeated Tragedies
The July 5th fire outbreak is the second incident that has claimed the lives of Liberians in Southwest Philadelphia. In the year 2011, 7 Liberians died when the house in which they were was mistakenly set a blaze by a Kerosene heater.
The blaze broke out around 10:45 p.m. Friday in a three-story brick duplex, killing two men, a woman, a teenage girl, a 1-year-old boy and two other children, a girl and a boy. Amongst the deceased were, Henry W. Gbokoloi, 54, of Yeadon; 8-year-old Ramere Markese Wright-Dosso, 6-year-old Mariam Iyanya Dosso, and 1-year-old Zyhire Xzavier Wright-Teah.

Moses D. Sandy
[email protected] /302-494-4688

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