Initially the lone survivor in a Tampa house fire, 8-year-old Romello Jackson was removed from life support Wednesday night.
Reginald Ashley sat in front of his home Wednesday, holding a photograph of his 8-year-old son Reshard Ashley and his 8-year-old nephew Romello Jackson.
Ashley said the two were more than cousins. They were best friends.
"He played a big role in his life," Ashley said. "They were tight knit."
The boys lived on Paris Street with their grandmother, 61-year-old Sheryl James and Romello's 3-year-old brother Emjay. Ashley said it was a living situation that made it easier for the children to get to school each day, something Reshard loved.
"He would ask to do things a normal kid wouldn't," Ashley said. "He would rather get on the computer and look at his next day's assignments in school rather than his video games."
Now, Reshard's classmates are left to say goodbye. The fire that swept through that Paris Street home early Tuesday killed James at the scene. Reshard and Emjay later died at the hospital. Family members made the decision to take Romello off life support Wednesday night.
"Nobody plans on burying their 8-year-old child," Ashley said.
A gofundme account has been set up to help the family.
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Tampa residents can call the Tampa Fire Marshal's Office at (813) 274-7000 and Hillsborough County residents outside the city limits can contact Hillsborough County Fire Rescue at (813) 272-6600.