Members of the Adams family could run up and down the stairs at their three-decker at 13 Jaques Ave., easily popping in on each level to be with one another. With generations living together under one roof, there were a tight-knit family.
That strong bond is what will now propel the Adams family through an unimaginable loss.
On Friday night, flames quickly tore through the building, leaving two family members dead and another severely injured. On the first floor of the three-decker, the blaze claimed the lives of Edna Mae Williams and her son Gerald “Jerry” Prince. Trying to escape the fire, Woodrow Adams Sr. jumped from the third-floor deck.
“My grandmother was the pillar of the family. She held us all together,” Woodrow Adams Jr., who grew up in the home but no longer lives there, recalled Saturday morning. “She made us all individually feel special in our own type of way.”
Prince grew up in Worcester and played basketball for North High School, Adams said. After suffering a stroke, Prince was paralyzed on one side of his body. Adams’ mother became his caretaker.
On Friday night, after the blaze started around 7:30 p.m., Adams got a call telling him that the three-decker owned by Adams’ parents was on fire and that officials were trying to get people out of the building.
Adams hopped into his car and rushed over, praying the entire drive. To find out that his grandmother and uncle didn’t make it out left him in immediate shock, he said.
“We have faith. We have a strong belief that God is in control of everything,” Adams said. “I was just praying the whole ride.”
As of Saturday morning, the elder Adams was still hospitalized. He suffered burns and a broken pelvis.
Adams’ parents live on the top floor of the three-decker, family friends live on the second floor and his grandmother and two uncles live on the first floor.
“We’re going to make it through this,” Adams said.
The younger Adams is an officer at the Worcester courthouse. He’s also well known in the community for supporting the youth through his organization Forever Young.
Woodrow Adams Sr., Woodrow Adams III, Woodrow Adams Jr. and Elijah Williamson posed for a photo in 2018 with the sign "Forever Young" the name of the non-profit organization Woodrow Adams Jr. plans to create to help stop youth violence.
In a tweet Saturday, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. offered prayers for the family.
“One of our beloved court officers Woodrow Adams and his family suffered a horrible tragedy last night in the fire on Jaques Avenue. Not only is Woody a beloved member of the courthouse community, but he gives back so much. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Woodrow and his family,” Early said.
Adams started a GoFundMe page to help his family rebuild.
“As a result of the 5 alarm evening blaze on Friday February 12, 2021 we lost my grandmother and uncle. The fire also destroyed my parents, grandparent and family friends belongings,” the GoFundMe page reads. “My family means so much to the neighborhood/community and now I ask for your help.”
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