By STEPHANIE BEECKEN
6 News Reporter
LUTTRELL (WATE) - The investigation continues into a deadly mobile home fire in Union County that killed two-year-old Matthew Parker on Saturday. Now, people from across East Tennessee are coming together to support the family.
The family's church in Knoxville is accepting donations. Since Saturday, the pastor says he's received more than 600 calls from people wanting to help. It's assistance the family is thankful for.
Matthew Parker died when a fire started at his grandparents' mobile home in Luttrell. Neighbor Kerry Ivey can't imagine the family's pain.
"I just hate it for them," said Ivey. "I haven't lost my child, but I know people who have and it's bad."
Matthew's uncle, Don Fuss, said he will never forget Matthew's happy face.
"He was always smiling. Every time you'd look at him he'd start smiling," said Fuss.
According to neighbor and friend Kerry Ivey, 15 family members were impacted. Matthew's grandparents and six other family members lived in the mobile home that burned to the ground.
Matthew's parents lived next door with the boy and his five siblings. Because of space, most of their belongings were stored at the mobile home that was destroyed in the fire. Now Ivey is trying to help.
"I am going to try and get them some money to help with the funeral when I get my check at the first of the month," said Ivey.
The family impacted by the fire has a place to stay for the next few months and many people have been donating, but help is still needed. The family's pastor, Richie Turner of Nehemiah Church, is accepting donations. People from all across East Tennessee have helped.
Turner saw the family Monday morning and delivered some items.
"They are beginning to mend. They are still heartbroken, but starting to mend and they want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed in some way," said Pastor Turner.
"I just pray that the community and everybody will come together and get them another trailer or something because they own the land and need a home and it's a big family," said Ivey.
Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but foul play is not expected. They said the incident appears to be accidental.
If you would like to help the family, call Pastor Richie Turner of Nehemiah Church at (865) 748-1772.
Matthew's parents lived next door with the boy and his five siblings. Because of space, most of their belongings were stored at the mobile home that was destroyed in the fire.
"They are beginning to mend. They are still heartbroken, but starting to mend and they want to say thank you to everyone who has contributed in some way," said Pastor Turner.
Since Saturday, the pastor says he's received more than 600 calls from people wanting to help.
