Four people, including two kids, are killed in South Carolina house fire as they tried to escape through window

By CLAUDIA AORAHA, US SENIOR EDITOR

Published: | Updated:

A devastating fire broke out at a home in South Carolina overnight, killing four people inside – including two young children – who died trying to escape through a window.

Firefighters were called to the home on East 3rd Street in Gaffney at 1.40am and found the entire structure up in flames.

One person who was inside managed to escape, run across the street, and alert a neighbor who called 911, according to the Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler.

However, not everyone inside the building got out as the structure blazed.

Willie Morris, 38, Dakeyia Shippy, 25, Mason Issac, four, and Jerekry McGill, seven months, died in the fire. 

Firefighters were called to the home on East 3rd Street in Gaffney (pictured) at 1.40am and found the entire structure up in flames

Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said that the person who escaped the fire and Morris were attempting to re-fuel a kerosene heater when the fire started

The four deceased were struggling in their final moments and were attempting to get out of a window in the kitchen when they were overcome by the thick smoke.

Their bodies were tragically found together, on the ground in the rear of the home. 

Fowler explained that the person who escaped the fire and Morris were attempting to re-fuel a kerosene heater when the fire started. 

The coroner’s office, Gaffney Fire Marshall and State Law Enforcement Division are investigating the fatal fire.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. 

Read More

  • Related Posts

    What is mutual aid? And why are more people turning to informal efforts to help each other?

    When major disruptions happen in communities, often the first people to respond are the residents themselves and their neighbors. When the pandemic shut down daily life or after a disaster…

    Why has number of people facing hunger doubled since 2019?

    The World Food Programme is warning that 318 million people will face critical levels of hunger next year. The United Nations agency says that is double the number from 2019.…

    You Missed

    Watch out Keir! The ‘pasta plotters’ are back as renegade Labour MP gather in Italian restaurant to ‘discuss Starmer’s leadership woes’

    Watch out Keir! The ‘pasta plotters’ are back as renegade Labour MP gather in Italian restaurant to ‘discuss Starmer’s leadership woes’

    Bombshell claim from the parents of the Aussie teens who died from methanol poisoning

    Bombshell claim from the parents of the Aussie teens who died from methanol poisoning

    ICE agents fired at in Chicago drive-by shooting as Homeland Security say violence towards officers is growing

    ICE agents fired at in Chicago drive-by shooting as Homeland Security say violence towards officers is growing

    David Lammy mocked for ‘ordering civil servants’ at the Ministry of Justice to call him ‘Deputy Prime Minister’

    David Lammy mocked for ‘ordering civil servants’ at the Ministry of Justice to call him ‘Deputy Prime Minister’

    This year’s 80ft 12-ton Rockefeller Center Christmas tree rides into NYC to kick off the holidays

    This year’s 80ft 12-ton Rockefeller Center Christmas tree rides into NYC to kick off the holidays

    ‘We will remember them’: Princess of Wales’s touching tribute to the fallen at moving Armistice Day service

    • By poster
    • January 8, 2026
    • 2 views
    ‘We will remember them’: Princess of Wales’s touching tribute to the fallen at moving Armistice Day service