Fire destroys home in Powers Community of Jones County
Jones Co, MS - An early morning fire on Wednesday, June 24 in the Powers Community of Jones County left a family of four homeless, but thankful to be alive.
At 12:55 a.m. fire units from Powers, M&M, and Glade Volunteer Fire Departments responded to 130 Buckley Road to the home of Ben and Jenny Temple, and their two girls, ages 13 and 9. Upon arrival firefighters found the wood siding home fully engulfed in flames, and a pickup truck on fire. A second alarm was sent out for manpower assistance from Calhoun, and Sandersville.

Firefighters initiated an aggressive exterior attack attempting to extinguish the raging blaze, which included live downed power lines, venting propane tanks, and exploding ammunition and fireworks. Firefighters utilized a nearby pond to draft water from, to supplement the water supply, while fire department tankers shuttled water to the scene from hydrants at Northeast Jones High School. Over two dozen volunteer firefighters, manning several fire apparatus from the six volunteer fire departments, responded to the scene.
With heat indices in the mid to high 80’s, firefighters could only remain in service for a short length of time before having to report to rehab for hydration. Two firefighters were taken out of service for the night, due to heat exhaustion.
Firefighters remained on the scene performing fire suppression and overhaul operations for over three hours.
According to officials on scene, the Temples said they were awakened by the sound of broken glass in the master bedroom, and are thankful they were able to get out of the burning home.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Jones County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigator Sgt. Scott Gable.
Also, responding to the incident were Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, FOMA (Fishers of Men in Action) from Magnolia Baptist Church who provided water and snacks, EMServ Ambulance Service, and Dixie Electric Power Association. The American Red Cross was notified to assess the needs of the family.
Story by Linda Cranford, Jones County Fire Service PIO
Photo submitted by Jones County Fire Service