Jerekry McGill, Dakeyia Shippy Obituary, Death – Authorities in South Carolina are investigating a devastating house fire that claimed the lives of four people, including two young children, early Sunday morning in the city of Gaffney. The tragic incident has left the close-knit community grieving as officials work to determine the exact cause of the fire.
According to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler, the blaze was reported around 1:40 a.m. at a residence located on East 3rd Street. Emergency dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting heavy flames coming from the home. Firefighters and police officers arrived within minutes but found the structure already severely damaged.
One person was able to escape the burning home and ran to a nearby neighbor’s house to call for help. By the time emergency services arrived, the fire had spread throughout most of the building. According to local news outlet WSPA, doorbell camera footage from a neighboring home showed the house already engulfed in flames when first responders were alerted.
The victims have been identified as 4-year-old Mason Issac, 7-month-old Jerekry McGill, 25-year-old Dakeyia Shippy, and 38-year-old Willie Morris. Officials said all four victims were located near the back of the home, on the kitchen floor, and appeared to have been trying to reach a window in an effort to escape. Investigators believe smoke and heat made it impossible for them to get out in time.
Coroner Fowler stated that preliminary findings suggest the fire began accidentally while two people inside the home were attempting to refuel a kerosene heater. He emphasized that such heaters should always be filled outdoors or in well-ventilated areas to prevent fires and the buildup of fumes. The official cause of the blaze remains under investigation by local fire authorities and the South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s Office.
In a statement released later Sunday, the Gaffney City Fire Department expressed its condolences to the victims’ families and to the entire community, which has been deeply affected by the loss. “A tragedy struck our community with the loss of life to four members of a Gaffney family,” the department wrote. “We cannot stress enough, now that winter is approaching, the importance of avoiding refueling kerosene heaters indoors.”
Neighbors who witnessed the fire described it as heartbreaking and said the family was well-known and loved in the area. Some recalled waking up to the sound of sirens and seeing the glow of flames lighting up the night sky. Others gathered to support the surviving family members and offer assistance in any way they could.
The American Red Cross and local community organizations are also providing support to relatives and neighbors affected by the tragedy. A memorial with flowers, candles, and toys has started to form near the site of the burned home as residents come together to grieve.
Gaffney, a small city in Cherokee County, is located about 50 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is a close community where residents often know one another, making the loss especially painful for many. Local officials have praised firefighters for their quick response despite the overwhelming flames they encountered upon arrival.
Fire safety experts are once again urging residents to use extra caution during the colder months. They recommend checking smoke detectors regularly, keeping flammable materials away from heat sources, and never refilling portable heaters while they are still warm or running.
Authorities plan to release more details once the investigation is complete, including confirmation of the fire’s exact origin. Meanwhile, Gaffney residents continue to show their support through prayer vigils, donations, and messages of sympathy shared both online and within the community.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly accidents can occur and the importance of following safety precautions when using heating equipment. The city of Gaffney now mourns the loss of four lives taken far too soon.
