MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – An arson investigation is underway following a fire early Monday morning at 1901 24th Avenue, the site of the Magnolia House, a vacant structure in Meridian. Firefighters spent several hours battling the blaze after units were dispatched to the scene at 1:58 a.m. on January 6.
Meridian Fire Chief Michael Evans confirmed that once the fire was extinguished, a preliminary investigation was conducted. The department quickly called in the State Fire Marshal’s office for further assistance, which led to the determination that the fire was likely intentionally set.
Chief Evans said his department “takes all fires in Meridian seriously, and arson will not be tolerated here in the City of Meridian.”
The State Fire Marshal’s office is offering a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the individual responsible for setting the fire. A press conference was scheduled for Tuesday, January 7, at 1:00 p.m. to provide further details and seek the public’s help.
The structure, which was not inhabited at the time of the fire, still had electricity connected, according to authorities. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered heavy flames coming from the building. Although the fire department did not immediately search for signs of forced entry, the State Fire Marshal’s office is leading that aspect of the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Fire Investigator Keith Reed at the Meridian Fire Department at 601-485-1822, East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 855-485-TIPS, or the State Fire Marshal’s office directly at 601-359-1061.
Should an arrest be made, the case will be prosecuted locally.
