10/25/09: Family uses Faith as Pastor Fights for His Life Following Double Fatal Fire

BY NICKI MAYO Anthony Williams says his father-in-law Reverend William Jackson is steadily recovering from the fatal fire that left two men dead in East Buffalo.
“We still need everyone to keep prayers up for him. He’s still on a ventilator. He needs assistance with his breathing,” said Williams.
Reverend Jackson was found unresponsive in the East Delavan Avenue home. He spent the last few days clinging to life, unable to breathe on his own. Two men, Jonah Mitchell and Steven Salley died in the fire. The Jackson Family describes these men as brothers in a family tied by faith.
“We just ask that everyone continue to help out the Jackson family and the Salley family. Because there’s a lot going on with these multiple deaths,” Williams added.
Investigators believe, the cause of the fire was a space heater too close to bed sheets. Days after the fire, thieves burglarized the home stealing electronics.
“They stole the remaining things like credit cards and id and so we had to a lot of cancelations with that. We’re helping with my mother-in-law so that she might stay encouraged,” Williams added.
The Jackson family set up a fund to help with medical fees and fire loss. They’re directing donations to the Hananiah Lutheran Church on Genesee Street.
Jackson Family Fire and Medical Fund
Hananiah Lutheran Church
c/o Daisy Jackson
900 Genesee St
Buffalo, NY 14211-3027
(716) 892-0335
The fire that ripped though the East Delavan house also tore a hole in the Jackson Family. The family is leaning on their faith in God to cope with the loss of the two brothers, and pray for the recovery of Revered Jackson.
“We are a family that believes in God and have a lot of faith. We’ve been through a lot in these four or five years and we know that God does not make mistakes,” Annetta Williams, rev. Jackson’s daughter told reporters Thursday.
As Rev. Jackson works to breathe on his own and one day make it back to serving the Saint James House of Prayer Church of God in Christ on Michigan Street. Supporters are asking the public to say a special prayer for a man who normally leads them.
“He’s progressing and he’s doing much better. We need everybody to keep prayers up for him,” said Williams.