Victim Identified in Fatal East Berrien Street Fire

Eulon Cooper, 70, died in the blaze that also injured a firefighter

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The victim of a fatal house fire on East Berrien Street in Galesburg, Illinois has been identified as Eulon Cooper, 70. Knox County Coroner Jacque Dare pronounced Cooper dead at the scene, with the cause of death pending an autopsy. One firefighter was injured while attempting to rescue a victim from the second floor of the burning home.

Why it matters

House fires are a tragic and all-too-common occurrence, and this incident highlights the risks that first responders face when responding to such emergencies. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and the community will be looking for answers and ways to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The details

Firefighters responded to the structure fire with reported victims trapped at 10:54 a.m. on February 22. Upon arrival, they encountered heavy smoke and flames visible from the two-story residential structure. While attempting to remove a victim from the second floor, two firefighters were caught in a partial collapse, with one being treated and released at the scene. A victim from the second floor was transported to a local hospital. Firefighters later located Eulon Cooper on the first floor. The Galesburg Fire Department, Galesburg Police Department, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire.

  • The fire occurred on February 22, 2026.
  • Firefighters responded to the scene at 10:54 a.m. on February 22.
  • An autopsy is scheduled for noon on Monday, February 24.

The players

Eulon Cooper

The 70-year-old victim who died in the fire.

Jacque Dare

The Knox County Coroner who pronounced Eulon Cooper dead at the scene.

Galesburg Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the blaze and is investigating the cause of the fire.

Galesburg Police Department

The police department that is assisting in the investigation of the fire.

Office of the State Fire Marshal

The state agency that is also investigating the cause of the fatal fire.

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What they’re saying

“The victim of Saturday's fatal house fire at 828 E. Berrien St. has been identified as Eulon Cooper, 70.”

— Jacque Dare, Knox County Coroner (wgil.com)

What’s next

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and the results of Eulon Cooper's autopsy are expected to be released on Monday.

The takeaway

This tragic fire serves as a somber reminder of the risks that first responders face when responding to emergencies, and the importance of fire safety and prevention measures in the community. The investigation will aim to determine the cause of the blaze and identify any steps that can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.