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Owner of Burned Duplex Disputes "Unsafe" Claim to WGIL
The man who owns the residence where a man and his son were killed Tuesday morning in a fire contends it was a safe home.

Lupe Perez of Galesburg says he's owned the one-story duplex with two units inside at 1330 South Kellogg Street since it was constructed in 1974, and he's personally made sure everything was up to snuff. A fire in the front unit broke out just before 9:45 a-m Tuesday, claiming the lives of 30-year old D'Andre Price and his 4-year old son Tyrice. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Perez says the electricity was up to date and anytime there's been a problem at either of the units, it's been taken care of. A unidentified woman at the scene taking pictures of the fire told us her daughter used to live in the rear unit of the duplex and she claimed it was unsafe. The woman says she urged her daughter to move.

Perez says the woman's claim is totally untrue and that his phone has been "ringing off the hook" because of the woman's allegations. He says he's had numerous tenants and there have been no major problems whatsoever.

Fire Chief John Cratty said the fire was primarily contained to the front unit where the Price's lived. Perez confirmed the back unit didn't sustain much damage, and he doesn't know yet why the fire started.

Three people who live in the rear unit of the duplex got out safely.







(WGIL News Story and Photos by Mike Perry)
12 17 08 by Newsroom
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