Mississippi Office of the State Fire Marshal

09/14/2026

Good news for local fire departments. The Mississippi Insurance Department Fire Services Division has distributed an estimated $23 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Fire Rebate Funds, including $11.5 million to the state’s 82 counties and $11.5 million for 294 of the state’s municipalities.

The cities of Jackson and Gulfport topped the list of municipalities receiving rebate funds while Rankin and Jackson Counties led the county recipients.

09/11/2026

Edwards Man Says Eviction Prompted Arson

HINDS COUNTY, Miss. – La’Vadda Harris is being held in the Hinds County Detention Center following his arrest on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, on first-degree arson charges. Harris confessed to State Fire Marshal’s Deputies at the Edwards Police Department that he had intentionally set a mobile home on fire around 12:30 a.m. on August 6, 2026, at 109 Mt. Moriah Road in Edwards, Miss.

Harris rented the home, which was not insured at the time of the fire. He was four months behind on rent and had been served an eviction notice two days before the fire. Harris confessed to intentionally setting fire to bed sheets using a lighter and cooking oil because he was upset by the eviction.

His initial court appearance is pending, and no bond has been set at this time. The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted by the Edwards Police Department during this investigation. The charges against this individual are allegations, and individuals facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Today, we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. We stand with all those affected and recognize the bravery of first responders and everyday heroes.

09/08/2026

Arson Arrest Made After Grenada County Fire

JACKSON, Miss. – On August 31, 2026, deputies with the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office assisted the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department with the arrest of Deaigo Stokes. Stokes’ bond is set at $10,000.

Stokes is charged with first-degree arson in connection with a manufactured home fire on Hebron Church Road in Grenada. The fire happened around 6:30 a.m. on August 31, 2026. Investigators estimated the damage to the manufactured home at approximately $80,000. Stokes owned the manufactured home, which investigators believe was financed and insured.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the Tie Plant Volunteer Fire Department and the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department. All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/03/2026

🏈🔥 When the lights go down, the crowd gets loud and the fireworks go up, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office is working behind the scenes to help keep fans safe.

Did you know? When fireworks or pyrotechnics are used on state property — including state colleges and universities — a permit is required, and our team conducts a pre-show inspection before the permit is issued. A State Fire Marshal representative must also be present during the event.

This video shows the Mississippi State Football inspection from a couple of weeks ago. But we've also inspected at USM, Ole Miss, JSU, and Alcorn.

Here’s to a great college football season — and a safe one!

🏈 Have fun.
🔥 Stay safe.
🎆 Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals.

09/02/2026

🏢⬆️ A lot of people don't know that regulating elevators and escalators is one of the jobs handled by the Mississippi Insurance Department & State Fire Marshal’s Office.

We work with elevator companies, building owners and contractors. Today, we held a meeting with industry professionals to discuss safety requirements, inspections and ways to keep Mississippi’s elevators operating safely.

So the next time you step into an elevator, remember: there’s a whole team working behind the scenes to help make sure that ride up is a safe one.

09/01/2026

The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is reminding residents that manufactured homes must be moved by properly licensed movers, in compliance with state law.

On Thursday, August 27, 2026, Stephen Goodlow moved a manufactured home in Scott County without the required license. The home became stuck and blocked a public highway. It was also damaged significantly during the incident and ultimately had to be demolished before it could be removed from the roadway.

Goodlow was cited by the SFMO for illegally moving a manufactured home. He is scheduled to appear in Scott County Justice Court in October on this charge. Goodlow was also cited at the scene by the Mississippi Highway Patrol for operating without a commercial driver’s license and operating without insurance.

SFMO hopes this incident reminds people that manufactured homes must be transported by properly licensed movers and in compliance with all applicable permitting, licensing, insurance, and highway-safety requirements.

The charges against this individual are allegations, and individuals facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/01/2026

Indianola Man Arrested for Arson

JACKSON, Miss. – Frederick Pearson is charged with first-degree arson and arson of insured property. He’s accused of setting fire to his home, a brick residence located at 120 Stonewall Drive, Indianola, Miss. The fire happened around 4:00 a.m. on May 29, 2026.

Deputies with the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) investigated the case and assisted Sunflower County authorities with the arrest on August 21, 2026. Pearson’s bond is set at $10,000.

The fire caused an estimated $25,000 in property damage. The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office was assisted during the investigation by the Indianola Fire Department and the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges against this individual are allegations, and individuals facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

08/28/2026

Congratulations are in order as Deputy State Fire Marshal Eric Reilly graduated from the Criminal Investigators Program (CIP) at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy (MELOTA) on Thursday, August 27, 2026. His graduation marks the successful completion of more than 320 hours of specialized training conducted over five months. 👏👏👏