JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville Army veteran is unable to live in his home after a devastating fire.
His friends, and others in the community, want to help him rebuild. But there's an issue preventing them from doing it. So, they contacted the Ask Anthony team for help.
"The fire actually started on the outside," Ricky Rush explained to Anthony Austin as they walked through his home.
Last year, on Father's Day, Ricky Rush woke up at 4 a.m. to a fire burning in his backyard.
"Once we saw the flames come out the window, we ran out the front door. We ran to the side of the house. We saw everything in the backyard burning," Rush said.
The Army veteran and retired mechanic said a stray firework is to blame for the damage to his home. He grew up in the house on East 22nd Street. He's now living in a travel trailer on the property that he describes as "tight."
Despite what Rush is going through, he's not the one who reached out for help.
"A former colleague of mine said I should reach out to you," Bruce Brown told Anthony Austin.
Bruce Brown, a lifelong friend of Rush, sent an email to the Ask Anthony team. Brown has already assembled local businesses in the community to help rebuild Rush's home. They're ready to get started.
However, there's a problem.
"Permits with the city. In order to protect the vendors to do the work, we have to have a permit. They won't come in and do the work without it," Brown said.
Rush showed Anthony Austin a copy of the deed. His mother and grandmother are listed on the document, but he's not. They have both passed away.
Even though he's been paying taxes on the property, according to the law, Rush is not the official owner of this house.
"When my mom passed away, she did not put things into perspective to the point that the house was actually left to me," Rush added.
That's why Brown wanted to share his friend's story.
"Hopefully, the city will see this as a goodwill gesture and help get him back in order," Brown responded.
A friend, who he says would you give you the shirt off his back, and never expect anything in return.
"I really hope there is somebody who can help me with this. I work hard and I do what I can for anybody," Rush said.
Anthony Austin contacted the City of Jacksonville representatives about Rush's permit problem. They confirmed they are looking into the matter.