State Fire Marshal: Fatal fire was smoking-related

By Randy Bell

A fire at Clinton’s Brookdale Senior Living facility October 21 was the result of

“inappropriate disposal of smoking materials,” according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO).

Investigators determined that the fire started outside the facility near the maintenance office entrance and quickly spread because of combustible materials, including a mattress, box springs and other household items, which were stored at the entrance to the maintenance office.

SFMO confirmed that smoke alarms and a fire suppression system in the building were working and that emergency officials were notified early by the fire alarm company.

At a news conference on October 22, Mayor Will Purdie called the fire “a great tragedy,” but praised the community’s response.

Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard confirmed that Harris Anthony, 82, and Sandra Laird, 81, died in the fire. Both were from Vicksburg.

“To those families, please know that the city of Clinton grieves with you,” Purdie said.

State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said, “I want to offer my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of Mrs. Laird and Mr. Anthony. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Nearly 100 residents of the assisted living community escaped the flames with no serious injuries, with at least four transported by ambulances to area hospitals. Those who were unharmed were placed in the care of other facilities or their family members. Fire Chief Levius Buckley said Brookdale staff got about 85 people out of the burning buildings, and firefighters rescued somewhere between 10 and 15 residents.

Buckley said the blaze broke out during a fire department shift change, and firefighters who had just gotten off rushed to the scene along with those who were just coming on duty. Several retired firefighters also offered their assistance.

Jeremy Wallace, who put in twenty-five years with the Clinton Fire Department (CFD) before retiring in January, said his wife notified him about the fire.

“I called the chief to let him know I was coming and to ask where incident command was,” Wallace said. “Because if you come in off-duty, even if you’re retired, you always go to incident command, because somebody’s got to know you’re here.”

When Wallace arrived, the front wing of the building was on fire, with flames coming from the roof. According to the former Engine 2 paramedic, because he’s retired, he wasn’t authorized to enter the burning structures; but he’s maintained his paramedic certification and went to the fire scene to offer his help.

Wallace said, “I can still function as a medic.” And he didn’t hesitate to join the response when he heard that Brookdale was on fire. As Wallace put it, “This was our life for twenty-five years.”

The CFD also got help in battling the flames from the Jackson Fire Department and

Hinds County volunteer fire departments. Buckley said it took about three hours to bring the fire under control.

During the news conference, Purdie noted that he “was once again reminded of the strength of this community through its overwhelming response” to the fire.

The mayor said, “As they always do in times of adversity, our citizens came together at a moment’s notice to help their friends and neighbors.”

Purdie thanked the firefighters, police officers and first responders who were at the scene.

“As you so often do, you went into danger so that others might come out of it. Because of you, many people are safe.”

He expressed appreciation to churches and community groups that rendered assistance and to the Clinton Public School District, which provided buses to transport residents to a reunification center which was set up at Morrison Heights Baptist Church.

And the mayor thanked individual citizens who got involved.

“Many of you showed up with your blankets, with food, with your time and with prayers.”