Fatal fire is a warning to others

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Reverend William Jackson remains in critical condition at ECMC.

As family and friends pray for the victims, Buffalo's Fire Commissioner is pleading with the public to make sure they have working smoke detectors.

Daisy Jackson knew it was a dire situation when she came home to find her house up in flames.

Her husband, Reverend William Jackson, was on his way to the hospital in critical condition.

"I told him to try to breathe on his own and come back to us," she said.

Two special needs men the Jackson's took care of died.

Steve Sally and Jonah Mitchell

Daisy explained, "Steve was a very intelligent bright young man, very. Jonah just had a little problems every now and then."

The fire began on the second floor early Thursday morning.

Six people were inside, four of them saved by the heroic actions of three police officers who happened to be near the neighborhood.

Jared Domaracki, Kenneth Agee and Deanna Fera.

Jared said, " I went to open the door and make sure it was open and started knocking to see if anyone was on the first floor."

"We just kind of sprung into action. We didn't really think anything through about it. We heard that there were people inside and we just tried to do our best to help out," Kenneth said.

Reverend Jackson's 12-year old son, Christopher was one of the people they pulled to safety.

"My dad was trying to get out of the house but the smoke just started getting more intense," exclaimed Christopher.

Investigators said the house did not have any working smoke detectors.

"It's so important, smoke detectors. We preach that message constantly in the Buffalo Fire Department and it's very important to keep that in mind. We want to have working smoke detectors," stated Buffalo Fire Commissioner, Michael Lombardo.

"I pray for everybody. I'm a praying woman, a church woman and I pray and thank them very much for saving my family and I pray for Steven and Jonah's family," Daisy said.

October happens to be fire prevention month.

On Saturday, residents in Buffalo can pick up free smoke detectors and batteries at one of three open houses.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Engine 23, 106 Collingwood at Bailey

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Engine 36, 860 Hertel Avenue

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Engine 19, 209 Forest Avenue at Hawley

News 4 is told the cause of this fire was more than likely, bedding that was too close to an electric space heater.