Excerpts from the BellevilleNewsDemocrat.com:
A tragic house fire on Sunday claimed the lives of two adults and a young child in the 2000 block of North 43rd Street. The incident occurred at a single-story home located at 2016 N. 23rd St., where six people were reportedly inside at the time. While three managed to escape, three others—Kendra Williams, a 27-year-old pregnant woman; her 4-year-old son, Jayden Harris; and Chantez Reynolds, Kendra’s fiancée—were tragically trapped inside and lost their lives.
East St. Louis Fire Chief James Blackmon confirmed the names of those who died: Kendra Williams, Jayden Harris, and Chantez Reynolds. The home was owned by Corey Burries, who was present during the fire along with three other adults and two children. “I was asleep when my grandson screamed that there was a fire,†Burries recounted through tears. “I opened my bedroom door, but the smoke was overwhelming. I let up the window and threw him out. I tried to climb out, but I called my daughter and her fiancé, telling them to come to the fire escape outside my window. They never came.â€
She added that the couple had been in a back bedroom, and she couldn’t reach them. One family member became so distraught that others had to restrain him from trying to enter the burning house. Neighbors also attempted to help, but thick smoke made it impossible for them to get inside.
The fire department received the emergency call at 1:42 p.m. East St. Louis Assistant Fire Chief Todd Hill said the crew from Engine House 422 arrived within five minutes and found the house engulfed in flames. “We learned that some people had already escaped, but the structure was a big ball of fire,†Hill explained. “The team immediately worked to contain the flames and search for survivors.â€
Hill, who has served as a firefighter for 25 years, described the scene as one of the worst he's seen. He praised the efforts of the six-member crew, saying they did everything possible to save the lives of those inside. “They did an incredible job, but unfortunately, three people didn’t make it out,†he said. He also mentioned that the bodies were found in a bedroom, though the cause of the fire is still under investigation, with a representative from the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office on site.
Kendra Williams’ sister, Janice Williams, shared that Kendra was five months pregnant. She also revealed that Chantez Reynolds was not only her sister’s fiancée but also her close friend. “My son woke me up screaming ‘fire,’†Janice said. “The smoke was so thick that neither my mother nor I could find my sister.†She described her nephew as smart and tech-savvy, especially when it came to computers and phones.
The family, now without insurance, is facing a difficult time. They are currently homeless and will need assistance with funeral costs and housing. As they mourn their loss, they are also seeking support from the community and local organizations to help them move forward.
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