Upstate house fire kills 4 family members, coroner says

CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Cherokee County Coroner’s Office says four members of a Gaffney family died in a house fire early Sunday morning.

Officials said the house fire on East Third Street was reported at 1:40 a.m. by one of the residents who managed to escape the burning one-story woodframe home.

“Kathy Shippy ran across the street and asked a neighbor to call 911. A doorbell camera on the neighbor’s house shows the structure was fully involved in fire at that time,” the coroner said.

The coroner identified the victims as Willie Morris, 38, Dakeyia Shippy, 25, Mason Issac, 4, and Jerekry McGill, 7 months, all residents of the home.

“Kathy Shippy said that Morris was attempting to refuel a kerosene heater inside the home when fire erupted. All four victims were found on the floor of the kitchen at the rear of the house and appeared to have been trying to escape through a window when they were overcome by smoke,” according to the coroner.

Autopsies will be performed to assist with the investigation.

The Gaffney Fire Department Chief Jamie Caggiano reminds homeowners not to fill kerosene heaters indoors or when hot.

The Gaffney Fire Marshall, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are also investigating.

Stay with FOX Carolina as we work to learn more.

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