JACKSON, Miss. — Multiple fire-related deaths have been reported this week as much of the state faces extreme cold and ice. Space heaters caused one death in Jefferson County and one death in Lincoln County. A fire death reported in Adams County was caused by a gas stove being used to heat a house. All three of those deaths happened on Monday, January 26, 2026. In all three cases, there were no smoke alarms. Other fire deaths, one in Leflore County, one in Alcorn County, and three in Tate County, are still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal Office. More reports are expected. “Because many roads are still impassable, responding to some of these fire scenes has been slow. In some areas, fire departments are unable to respond at all. What we’re seeing, and have seen historically, is improper heating issues like getting space heaters too close to bedding or using outdoor heating equipment indoors. I cannot overstate the importance of safely using heating equipment and having a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm. I pray we don’t see more loss of life as extreme cold is predicted to continue for several days,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. Of the 74 fire deaths statewide in 2025, 10 started because of a space heater. In 55 percent of the total deaths, there were no working smoke alarms present in the home. As cold temperatures persist over the coming days, follow these tips for safe heating: · Never use space heaters while you sleep or in areas where children may be without adult supervision. · Do not leave space heaters on when you are away from home. · Always unplug space heaters when they are not in use. The heater should also be equipped with a tip over shut-off switch. · All heating equipment should be UL® approved and cleaned and inspected by a qualified professional prior to being used each year. · Inspect the space heater’s power cord for damage, fraying, or heat. If the cord inspection reveals any of these issues, the heater should be replaced. Proper cleaning is essential and should be done regularly. · Never use a stove or oven to heat living spaces. · Have chimney flues cleaned and inspected by qualified personnel. · Burn only approved materials in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Never burn paper or trash in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. · Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. · Smoke alarms should be placed in every sleeping area and common hallways and on every level of the home. · Should a fire break out in the home, have an emergency evacuation plan for the family to follow and have a designated meeting place for all family members. · Once everyone is outside the burning home, call 911 and don’t go back inside the home under any circumstances. ### |