Three house fire deaths reported in Tate County amid Mississippi deep freeze

JACKSON, Miss. — A brutal winter freeze has turned deadly across Mississippi, with Tate County emerging as a focal point of tragedy. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating three fire-related deaths in Tate County alone, part of a grim wave of fatalities as residents struggle to stay warm in sub-zero conditions.

The Tate County victims are among at least eight people killed in fires since the cold snap began. While many of the week’s fires remain under investigation, officials confirmed that improper heating techniques—specifically space heaters and gas stoves—have already claimed lives in Jefferson, Lincoln, and Adams counties.

State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney noted that impassable, icy roads have hampered emergency crews, leaving some rural areas vulnerable.

“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,” Chaney said. “I pray we don’t see more loss of life as extreme cold is predicted to continue for several days.”

A Deadly Pattern: No Alarms Present

A chilling commonality among the confirmed fatalities on Monday, Jan. 26, was the absence of smoke alarms. According to 2025 state data, 55 percent of all fire deaths occurred in homes without working alarms.

In Tate County, investigators are working to determine if similar safety lapses contributed to the three deaths reported there. Additional investigations are ongoing in Leflore and Alcorn counties.

Winter Heating Safety Essentials

With extreme cold expected to persist through the week, the State Fire Marshal’s Office urges Mississippians to follow these life-saving protocols:

• The Three-Foot Rule: Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything flammable, including curtains, bedding, and furniture.
• Stoves are for Cooking: Never use a gas stove or oven to heat a home; this poses a severe risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Power Down: Always unplug space heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep. Ensure units have an automatic “tip-over” shut-off switch.
• Check Your Alarms: Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly. Alarms older than 10 years should be replaced immediately.

“I cannot overstate the importance of safely using heating equipment and having a working smoke alarm,” Chaney added. “Once everyone is outside a burning home, call 911 and do not go back inside under any circumstances.”