Mississippi Fire Deaths After Winter Storm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 3, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT Beth Reiss Communications Director State Fire Marshal’s Office beth.reiss@mid.ms.gov 601‐359‐2403 More Fire Deaths Reported in Wake of Winter Storm JACKSON, Miss. – More fire deaths are being reported statewide in the wake of Winter Storm Fern. There have been 19 total deaths statewide as of February 1, 2026. That’s compared to 12 for the same period in 2025. “Four deaths were caused by heating‐related fires. Several others are still under investigation, or the fire source is undetermined because of how badly the homes were burned. One thing that stands out in all of the fires is the lack of smoke alarms. There were no smoke alarms in 14 of these 19 deaths,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home. • 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. Power outages may lead people to use portable fuel‐powered generators, which can produce carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created by incomplete fuel combustion. High levels of CO can cause loss of consciousness or death. • Never use generators indoors, in garages, basements, crawlspaces, or near windows, doors, or vents. • Use generators outdoors only, at least 15 feet away from buildings. • Never use gas or kerosene heaters inside homes or other buildings. Additional tips to safely heat your home:

• 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. ###