Hello, we are the Simmons Family. On Tuesday, May 28th, our lives were forever changed by a gas leak explosion in our building in Youngstown, OH. Ashia, who works from home, was there with our 10-month-old son when the fire alarms sounded. She quickly grabbed our son and rushed down 12 flights of stairs at 2:41 PM. Just four minutes later, at 2:45 PM, the lower part of the building exploded. Ashia and Amyr barely escaped in time.

 The incident is still under investigation, but the building’s structural integrity is so compromised that city officials have decided to demolish it. This decision leaves us, the Simmons Family, without our home and personal belongings. With 23 units affected, all residents are now displaced.

We have to start over completely and are extremely grateful to have survived this catastrophic event. We are seeking help as we navigate this difficult time and work to rebuild our lives from scratch. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.