Two lives lost after fire at a senior living facility in Clinton

Clinton Fire Chief Levius Buckley said firefighters responded to the call around 5 p.m. The fire was extinguished around 3 a.m. Thursday. One hundred residents were evacuated from the building, and four were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Two residents, 82-year-old Sandra Laird and 82-year-old Harris Anthony, died in the fire. Both victims were from Vicksburg.

At a Thursday morning news conference, Buckley said the facility sustained extensive damage and residents would not be able to return for the foreseeable future. 

“They will have to look for long-term assistance,” Buckley said. “We have several wings of the building that are still standing, but they won't be livable for a little while.” 

Local officials are working with the State Fire Marshal's Office to determine the cause of the fire. Clinton Mayor Will Purdie asked residents not to speculate and to wait for the results of the investigation. 

Purdie also commended the community for helping relocate residents and providing donations, including food, clothing and blankets. He thanked community members, volunteers and law enforcement officers who assisted during the emergency. 

“As they always do in times of adversity, our citizens came together at a moment's notice to help their friends and neighbors. I'd like to thank all of our local churches and community groups that rendered assistance,” Purdie said. “Because of you, many people are safe this morning.”

Dalton Frazier, a member of Morrison Heights Baptist Church, said his family lives across the street from Brookdale. He said he saw smoke and flames rising from the facility before receiving a call to help residents arriving at the church. 

“There was, by that time, there was full force fire department, full force police department. They were all there.” 

Frazier drove residents from Brookdale to the church and helped reunite them with family members. He said community members quickly brought donations and volunteered wherever help was needed. 

“There was probably 80, maybe 100 people that were volunteering ready to go. I saw high school football players from Clinton. I saw the MC softball team, I saw some MC nursing students. We had the community just explode right here,” Frazier said. 

As the investigation continues, Buckley again urged residents not to speculate about the cause of the fire and to allow investigators to work without interruption. 

“Just let us work. Please do not try to go on site. The state Fire Marshal's office is there along with us. They will not let you in,” Buckley said. “So save a trip. Just stay home.” 

Gov. Tate Reeves also issued statements on Facebook and X, offering prayers to the families affected by the fire and praising first responders and community members who assisted residents following the evacuation. 

As of Thursday morning, all residents had been relocated either with family members or to care facilities in Hattiesburg. Morrison Heights Baptist Church is no longer accepting financial or physical donations. Residents can find updates on the City of Clinton's Facebook page.