GALESBURG, Ill. — Two are dead, including a 6-year-old, following a house fire in Galesburg Friday morning.
City officials said the Galesburg Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of N. Cherry Street around 3:20 a.m. Officials found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear, second-story windows of the two-story residence.
Firefighters found and removed two people, who officials have identified as 50-year-old John E. Stipp and 6-year-old Kaiirree J. Hippen, from the house. Stipp and Kaiirree were transported to a local hospital where they were pronounced deceased.
Eight occupants inside the home had escaped the residence before firefighters arrived. Officials also rescued a dog from the residence.
Galesburg Christian School published a Facebook post Friday morning asking the public for donations for the family impacted.
Big Catz BBQ in Knoxville is also asking for donations, as Stipp's niece is a server there.
"Our community really pulls together when people are in need, and it's shown," General Manager Michelle McBride said. "I mean in the six hours or so that we've had it posted that we were collecting, my office is full of clothes and shoes, there's umbrellas, blankets, and one lady brought everything in like storage bins so that it was easy for them to move around. Our community's always helping somebody it seems like".
If you'd like to donate directly to the family, you can drop off supplies or monetary donations to Big Catz BBQ, located at 221 E. Main St. Unit A in Knoxville.
The American Red Cross is also assisting the occupants.
The fire remains under investigation by the Galesburg Fire and Police Departments, the Illinois State Police, and the State Fire Marshal's Office.
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