Another Jones County home destroyed by fire

Jones County, MS - A family of four is homeless after fire destroyed their two-story home in the Powers community of Jones County early Friday morning, September 4.

Prior to Friday morning’s fire, Powers, Glade, M&M, and Sandersville Volunteer Fire Departments were dispatched Thursday night at 8:46 p.m. to the home of Willie and Gloria Milsaps on East Briarwood Drive with a report of a structure fire. Prior to firefighters arriving, the homeowners’ son was able to extinguish the fire, which had started in the kitchen area. The fire units returned to their stations and homes.

Gloria Milsaps, with her two children, ages 21 and 13 months, left the home for the night to stay with relatives. Her husband, Willie, was working out of town.

At 1:38 a.m., the fire departments were dispatched back to the residence with the report that heavy smoke and flames were showing coming from the house. Upon arrival, firefighters found the large two-story brick home fully involved in flames, and the roof collapsing. Due to the extinct and size of the fire, Calhoun and Sharon VFDs were requested to assist with manpower and water support.

Gloria said that before they left, the lights flickered and went off in the kitchen. Her brother checked the breaker box, and flipped the breakers and the lights came back on.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Also responding to the fire were Jones County Fire Coordinator Dan McKenna, District Fire Chief John Bounds, who served as Incident Commander, and Jones County Sheriff’s Department. The American Red Cross was notified, and will assess the needs of the family.

Photo and story by Linda Cranford, Jones County Fire Service PIO