The fatal fire on Gift Avenue was the result of a cooking fire that involved grease.  The overnight fire February 4th killed three people including 34-year old Edward Gordon and two of his children: 4 year-old Emyraa and 5 year-old Eandre Gordon.  Brad Pierson is an Arson Investigator with the Peoria Police Department. He says three smoke detectors were found in the home but the two downstairs did not have batteries connected. Piereson says it was a tragic accident. “I think a lot of circumstances, had to come together unfortunately to make this happen. Obviously knowing your smoke detectors work should have helped this family.” Pierson says.
Having smoke detectors placed in the right locations also makes a difference according to Pierson.  He says more information on proper smoke detector placement can be found by typing the words ‘smoke detector placement’ into any search page and cross referencing the information.
The Gift Avenue home is anticipated to be a total loss. Pierson says its hard to say if operational smoke detectors would have changed the outcome of the situations, but it may have given the family a greater chance of survival.