Investigators in Galesburg are trying to determine what caused a fire that left two people dead early Friday morning.
Kaiirree Hippen, 6, and John E. Stipp, 50, were pronounced dead at OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
The Galesburg Fire Department was called to the scene at 559 N. Cherry Street at 3:20 a.m. The response included all three stations and the 11 firefighters who were on duty.
They encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear, second-story windows of the two-story building.
Eight people had gotten out of the building by the time the fire department arrived. They were evaluated by Galesburg Hospital Ambulance Service personnel and were transported to the medical center.
A family dog was also rescued.
The Red Cross is providing assistance to the people displaced by the fire, and donations for the family are being accepted by Galesburg Christian School.
Damage was confined to the second floor and attic.
The preliminary damage estimate is $30,000.
