‘Praying for everyone affected’: 2 dead following massive fire at senior assisted living center

CLINTON, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - Two people died after a fire at an assisted living center in Mississippi.

According to Hinds County Coroner Jeramiah Howard, one of the victims was an 82-year-old man, and the other was an 81-year-old woman.

Hinds County fire officials said the fire broke out at Brookdale Senior Living on East Northside Drive around 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Firefighters from multiple departments, including the Jackson Fire Department and the Hinds County Volunteer Fire Department, along with several retired Clinton Fire Department personnel, helped put out the fire.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of two residents as a result of the fire at our Clinton community. Our deepest sympathies are with their families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” representatives with the Brookdale Clinton facility said.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves added that the Mississippi State Department of Health and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency were also assisting in the response.

“Please continue praying for everyone affected. Thank you to all of the first responders who have quickly sprung into action to help those in need,” Reeves said.

According to Clinton Fire Chief Levius Buckley, 85 residents had to be evacuated, with four needing to be hospitalized with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.

Buckley said the fire impacted several wings of the building, “about 45%” of the facility, and that the building would not be livable for a while.

The fire chief also called a rumor that the facility’s sprinklers were not working “not factual.”

Fire officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.