Jordan Dukes, 8, a student at the Alabama School for the Blind was killed in an apartment fire Sunday morning in Birmingham. His mother and sister also died in the fire.
Eight-year-old Jordan Dukes, his 3-year-old sister Jakayla Gamble, and his 25-year-old mother Claudia Dukes were found dead on the bathroom floor of their home Sunday at Beacon View Apartments in Birmingham.
According to Jefferson County Chief Deputy Coroner Pat Curry, all three victims died from smoke inhalation.
ASB is still recuperating from the tragic loss of one of their most cherished students.
“He loved this school,” said Charlotte Lowry, principal of ASB. “We just can’t believe it happened, and like I said we’re devastated.”
Lowry said school psychologists are working closely with students through this tragic time and have gotten in touch with their families.
“We’re going on with school but at the same time there is a big dark cloud hanging over us,” said Lowry.
According to Lowry, Dukes usually went home on the weekends to spend time with his family in Birmingham and was looking forward to a school field trip to Six Flags amusement park next weekend with his classmates.
Dukes was born with congenital glaucoma and was partially blind. When he came to ASB last year, he immediately felt at home and is remembered as being a wonderful and happy third-grade student.
“He was a great kid,” said Lowry. “If you looked in the dictionary under ‘perfect kid’ you would see his smiling face.”
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at the Guiding Light Church located at 1800 John Rogers Drive in Irondale.
The number for the church is 205-838-1386. Funeral services are planned for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the same location.
