A day after a fire displaced 47 people from two apartment buildings in Smyrna, victims are trying to recover with the help of the American Red Cross and the community.
For victim Harold Pruitt he cried not because he and his family lost everything in the blaze but because of the service he's received.
"Now for what they've done for me and are doing for me, hey, I love them just as much as I love the Corps," he said.
The retired Marine spent the night at Highland Heights Church of Christ with his wife Janice Reed and 9-year-old granddaughter Sniyah Tillery.
He held back tears Friday evening thinking about how the American Red Cross and the Smyrna Fire and Police departments stepped in to help.
"Them an outstanding group of people. Those that work for them or volunteer. They had one purpose, make sure everybody was safe, put that fire out, take care of the sick and wounded," he said.
The cause of the fire has not been released. Both buildings will be condemned because of the extensive damage.
Local companies have stepped in to help as well.
Representatives of Smyrna Ready Mix confirmed they will be taking donations to help the victims of the fire.
"Whatever we can do to give back to our roots that's what we like to do," Marketing and Hiring Manager Taylor Ford said.
Ford knew some of the children affected by the fire.
"We don’t want to overwhelm the church with clothing donations so we've got drop off locations across middle Tennessee. 25 or so plants spread across middle Tennessee for you to drop off those clothing items and we can sort through them," Ford said.
"Some of us have lost our keys and we panic. It's the end of the world so I can't begin to imagine what it's like to lose everything," he said.
Smyrna Ready Mix is accepting monetary donations, clothing, toys, books, and any other items needed for the victims.
Items can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday. To see their locations, visit them online.
