Elkville Fire Location Known, Cause Unknown
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Illinois State Fire Marshal's office knows where the fire that claimed two lives in Elkville Friday started, but may never know how it started.
Elkville Chief of Police Kenton Schafer said the Illinois fire marshal's office will list the cause of the fire as "undetermined." It is now known that the fire broke out near the center of the middle bedroom where 6-year-old Ashanti was found. The fire broke out on the floor just off the foot of the bed. He said the bed was located near the south wall, but there was walk-around room so the bed could be made. Chief Schafer said investigators ruled out any source for the fire in the ceiling of the furniture store below the apartments.
Pyatt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Zakia Davis, 31, and daughter Ashanti Hilliard, age 6, who resided in one of two apartments that face the north side of the furniture store building .
Zakia was born in Tacoma, Wash., a daughter to David White and Brenda Whitfield. On July 20, 2007, she married Coy Davis in Du Quoin, and he survives. Zakia was a member of the First United Pentecostal Church and worked as a C.N.A. for Helia Healthcare of Carbondale.
Ashanti was born in Carbondale, a daughter to Chauncy Hilliard and Zakia White. Ashanti was a first grade student at Du Quoin Elementary School. School staff members broke the news to classmates Friday and counselors provided support where necessary.
Funeral services for both will be held at First United Pentecostal Church, Du Quoin, on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan McKinnies and Reverend C.L. McKinnies officiating. Interment will be in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Du Quoin.
Friends may call at First United Pentecostal Church, Du Quoin, from 9 a.m. until time of service. Memorial donations may be made to the family at the church, or mail your clearly marked donation to the church at PO Box 406, Du Quoin, Ill. 62832 and it will be placed in trust for the family. At the outset of the tragedy, Heartland Baking of Du Quoin--where Zakia's brother, Jason Whitfield works--made an initial contribution to the family.
Chief Schafer said the apartment was actually under lease to Zakia's mother and that several members of the family--including Zakia's husband Coy, came and went from the apartment.
The chief said Zakia's mother was at work when the fire broke out. He said the staff at Helia Healthcare in Carbondale was heartbroken by the loss. Helia staff members said Zakia was an outstanding nurse and person. He said he had no knowledge of anyone else narrowly escaping the fire.
Schafer has been in charge of the investigation and has more interviews to conduct, but said they will not take place until the family has some closure from funeral services on Friday. "From the beginning we felt there was never any foul play," he said. And, nothing since changes their mind. Chief Schafer said power was shut off to the entire building during the fire and that the building remains vacant, but secure.