Brookdale Senior Living fire sparked by cigarette or cigar: State officials

Tragedy at Brookdale Senior Living

An improperly discarded cigarette or cigar sparked the fast-moving blaze that killed two residents last month at a Mississippi senior living facility.

State investigators announced the findings Tuesday. The October 21 fire at Brookdale Senior Living in Clinton tore through a residential area after igniting outside the maintenance office entrance.

Victims Identified by State Officials

State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney identified the victims as 81-year-old Sandra Laird and 82-year-old Harris Anthony. Both were residents of Vicksburg.

Flames accelerated rapidly due to combustible household items stored near the maintenance entryway, including a mattress and box springs. WLBT reported the official cause and casualty details following the conclusion of the state inquiry.

Officials provide update after an 81 & 82-year-old died in Clinton assisted living facility fire

Chaney Offers Condolences to Victims Families

“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,” Chaney said in a public statement.

Management at Brookdale Clinton addressed the community impact in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon while cooperating fully with local and state authorities.

Operational Alarms Helped Firefighters Respond Quickly

Investigators confirmed that the facility was equipped with operational smoke alarms and an active fire suppression system. The fire alarm company successfully notified emergency dispatchers in the early stages of the incident, allowing firefighters to respond quickly to the scene.

Brookdale Senior Living fire sparked by cigarette or cigar: State officials — Photo: wlox.com

City of Clinton officials formally acknowledged the findings released by state investigators. Local leadership expressed gratitude to both the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Clinton Fire Department for their exhaustive work throughout the weeks-long cause determination process.