A 57-year old man died early Friday morning during a fire at the home he shared with his wife in Cave Junction in Josephine County. Oregon State Police (OSP) Arson & Explosives Section and Office of State Fire Marshal responded to assist Illinois Valley Fire District to investigate. The investigation determined the fire was accidental.
On July 26, 2013 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Illinois Valley Fire District requested investigative assistance following a fire at 222 Ollis #14 in Cave Junction involving a confirmed fire-related fatality.
Investigation indicated KENDELL WAYNE PHILLIPS, age 57, and his wife, TAMMIE PHILLIPS, age 54, woke to a smoke alarm and saw a fire in their laundry room. They called 911 and both safely made it out of the residence. For an unknown reason, KENDELL PHILLIPS went back inside the burning residence and succumbed to the smoke and heat before he was able to get out.
The fire was determined to be electrical caused, originating where an extension cord was plugged in to operate a window air conditioner.
Fire damage to the residence is considered a total loss.
Questions regarding fire response should be directed to Illinois Valley Fire District.
No photographs available for this release.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
On July 26, 2013 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Illinois Valley Fire District requested investigative assistance following a fire at 222 Ollis #14 in Cave Junction involving a confirmed fire-related fatality.
Investigation indicated KENDELL WAYNE PHILLIPS, age 57, and his wife, TAMMIE PHILLIPS, age 54, woke to a smoke alarm and saw a fire in their laundry room. They called 911 and both safely made it out of the residence. For an unknown reason, KENDELL PHILLIPS went back inside the burning residence and succumbed to the smoke and heat before he was able to get out.
The fire was determined to be electrical caused, originating where an extension cord was plugged in to operate a window air conditioner.
Fire damage to the residence is considered a total loss.
Questions regarding fire response should be directed to Illinois Valley Fire District.
No photographs available for this release.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###