The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Dinner to benefit family of 4-year-old killed in fire
The Greater Lorain Young Marines will be hosting a spaghetti dinner July 14 for the family of 4-year-old Omir West who died July 7 in a house fire.
The dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St. in Elyria.
Anthony Ruth, unit commander, said he was approached by a Young Marine, Corporal Ethan Bozman, 13, in efforts to help the family.
Ruth said the group, made up of Young Marines ages 8 to 18, was assigned for drill the weekend of July 14.
But, after hearing of the house fire, Ruth, Ethan and the group knew they wanted to help in some way.
The Young Marines organization has no ties to the family, but wanted to help a family in the community, Ruth said.
The group focuses on leadership, discipline and living a drug-free life.
“It’s more about having heart in helping a member (or family) in the community,” he said.
Staff of the organization are gathering donations for the spaghetti dinner and gift cards for the family this week.
The group is planning for 500 guests.
There is no specific admission charge for the dinner, but any donation will be accepted, he said.
All proceeds made from the dinner are going to the family, Ruth added.
A poster board will be available at the dinner for guests to sign for the family.
Fire personnel were called to the home at 3:02 p.m. July 7 and found heavy fire conditions, according to Elyria Fire assistant chief Joseph Pronesti.
“We had to knock down the heavy fire before we could send our men in. They went in and did a search of the first floor. Conditions again deteriorated rapidly and we had to pull them out again.”
Omir’s body was found in an upstairs bedroom of the home in the 400 block of Second Street.
“These old structures, fire races right through them,” Pronesti said. “We had a lot going against us, but the guys did a hell of a job.
“Everyone here has families, a lot of these firemen have kids, whenever there’s kids involved you go all out.”
Pronesti said the home will have to be taken down.
“We’re going to have to tactically take it piece by piece apart.”
The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time.