An early morning fire that killed a Galesburg man and a six-year-old child in September was accidental, according to investigators.
Firefighters responded to 559 N. Cherry St. at 3:20 a.m. on Sept. 27, and later requested assistance from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal to investigate.
The home was formerly a duplex with separate residences on the first and second floors, but had been converted back to a single family unit, with 10 occupants living there at the time of the fire.
Nine of the home’s occupants were transported to the hospital by ambulance. The two fatalities were John Stipp, 50, and Kaiirie Hippen, 6.
According to the State Fire Marshal report, Stipp was outside when he realized the child was still inside and he went back in the burning home.
Arson investigators for State Fire Marshal determined the fire started along the east wall of the upstairs kitchen area, which was being used as an office.
Investigators located a plastic garbage can along the east wall that had melted around the cord of an adjacent mini-refrigerator. There were also cigarette butts in the melted plastic, according to investigators.
“The cause of this fire shall be documented as accidental as I cannot rule out the discarded smoking materials or an electrical failure as a cause,” reads the State Fire Marshal report.
The home had working smoke detectors, according to the report.
A GoFundMe for the family has exceeded the $30,000 goal and is still accepting donations.
