VIGIL HELD FOR FIRE VICTIM

Omeire West passed away in a fire that destroyed a home in the 400 block

“The hardest part for me was the simple fact that truly I didn’t even knowmy son..” — Omeire’s father Benjamin Rogers

Community leaders and family remembered a four-year-old boy who died in a July 7 house fire with a candlelight vigil.

Organized by the Ambassa- dor Brothers of Lorain County, the vigil brought the community together on 2nd Street where a home once stood to honor Omeire West and support his family in this time of remembrance.

Omeire passed away in a fire that destroyed a home in the 400 block. Firefighters arrived on scene to heavy fire conditions. Multiple departments battled the blaze and conducted a blitz attack in knocking out heavy before units could safely conduct a search of the home. Omeire’s body was found in an upstairs bedroom.

Omeire’s father Benjamin Rogers addressed supporters, surrounded by his children who were

all holding balloons.

“The hardest part for me was the simple fact that truly I didn’t even know my son. It was a situation with me and his mom where everything wasn’t perfect,” Rogers said. “And he was taken away from me before he was a year old. Things were finally starting to come together and changing. Before they got to change, I ran into this. “

“But everybody holding a balloon over there, those are mine. So I now that I have to

stay strong and keep pushing. I want to thank all of you all for coming out and just showing support,” Rogers added. “I wanted to put this together just for the community to see, and just the parents to know that no matter what we’ve just got to keep pushing forward for themand do all we can to let them know life is too short. It is much too short. And if you take it for granted all that you have can be taken away from you in the blink of an eye,” Rogers said.

Ambassador Brothers Founder Aric Bowens along with current President Ethan West said the organization was moved to do something

to support the family as fellow member of their community.

“Hopefully we can help bring some closure,” Bowens said.

Bowens said Ambassador Brothers are working with the Red Cross and hope to help raise money to help the family get settled.

A prayer and moment of silence was led by Marcus Crowley and Heaven LeJoi Harrington performed “Amazing Grace.”

“On behalf of the Ambassador Brothers we want to give our condolences. Because we are all fathers,” Crowley said. “We love you and we are here for you.”

KEVIN MARTIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Benjamin Rogers participates in a vigil for his four-year-old son Omeire West on July 17on 2nd St. in Elyria. Omeire died in a July 7house fire that destroyed a the home.