In the early morning of August 6, 2021 local time
East St. Louis, Illinois, USA
An American mother's birthday
A fire broke out in the home
Her 5 children are under 10 years old
Unfortunately, all their lives were lost in the fire
On Friday, August 6, 2021, a fire in the early hours of the morning killed five children. Photographed by Robert Cohen
The fire reportedly occurred around 3 a.m. on the second floor of an apartment building at 560 North 29th Street, East St. Louis, facing the playground of The Annette Harris Officers Elementary School in East St. Louis, where the family had experienced a fire in the previous months without casualties.
Investigators work outside an apartment building at 560 29th St. Louis Street, East. Photographed by Robert Cohen
Police and investigators have not released the cause of the fire, nor have they commented on the fire where the family previously lived. The case is under investigation by the local government and the Illinois Fire Department.
Sabrina Dunigan, the mother of 5 children, left the scene of the fire. Photographed by Robert Cohen
The children died on the birthday of their mother, Sabrina Dunigan, and friends were supposed to come to a party for Sabrina Dunigan hours later with balloons.
Teddy bears and balloons commemorate 5 children who died in the fire. Photographed by Robert Cohen
The St. Clair County Coroner said, "Four children were found dead in the apartment building, with the 5th dying on the way to the hospital." The ages of these children range from 2 to 9 years old. ”
An East St. Louis firefighter is resting and is tasked with transferring the bodies of children from the 29th Street fire in East St. Louis. Photographed by Robert Cohen
Coroners confirmed the victims included Loy-el, a 2-year-old girl, Jabari, a 4-year-old boy, a pair of 8-year-old twin girls, Rivern and Neveah, and a 9-year-old boy, Deontae.
On Friday, August 6, 2021, Jeri Johnson, 4-year-old Jabari's grandmother, showed photos of her grandson. Photographed by Robert Cohen
The coroner said the autopsy could take place next week, though the date has not yet been determined. The official cause of death will not be released until then.
Malaya Cannon, 7, donated a teddy bear to honor the five children killed in the 29th Street fire in East St. Louis. Photographed by Robert Cohen
On August 6, 2021, friends of mothers of five children killed in a fire at an apartment in East St. Louis gathered on 29th Street to watch the investigation. Photographed by Robert Cohen