House Fire Still Under Investigation

The Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office has not issued an official reporton the cause of a house fire in the 600 block of Elizabeth St., Sunday, June 26, at 9:45 a.m., that seriously injured seven people, one fatally.

Sullivan Fire Chief Eric Lewis reported to the Sullivan Independent News that thus far the cause of the fire is undetermined, according to the Missouri State Fire Marshal.

“At this time there is no new updates on the fire and it remains under investigation at this time,” said Chief Lewis.

Sources indicated that the fire is believed to have started in the living room of the home.

Sullivan Police Chief Patrick Johnson stated on Friday that the department is also conducting an investigation into the fire after learning that the fire marshal has not concluded a cause.

Johnson commented that the department wants to know what happened to cause the fire and added that they have no reason to believe there was anything criminal that occurred.

“The victims and our community need to know what happened here and we are working alongside fire to figure out what caused this tragedy,” said Johnson Friday.

The condition of the other victims from the fire is not known at this time other than reports that they remain in serious condition as various hospitals in the St. Louis area.

The home was rented to Michael Scaman and wife Tiphany, who also had others staying with them.

Tiphany was fatally injured in the fire and passed away on Monday, June 27.

A Go Fund Me account has been established by Scaman’s brother-in-law, William Little. The Go Fund Me account is listed under Michael Scaman June 26 House Fire Help Fund.

The family lost everything in the house fire.