Oktibbeha County firefighters again battled a structure fire Wednesday morning after two other blazes damaged homes in the last 10 days.
Volunteers with Central Oktibbeha County and Sturgis fire departments were dispatched to a home off Highway 12 in Sturgis at 4:57 a.m. Wednesday for a fully involved fire. Two occupants were inside the home at the time of the fire, but Oktibbeha County Fire Services Coordinator Kirk Rosenhan said they were able to escape the structure.
No injuries were reported, but the house was severely damaged. Rosenhan said it appears an electrical problem sparked the blaze.
Firefighters also reported to separate fires early last week and Friday near the West Point Road-16th Section Road area and off Hickory Grove Road South, respectively. Rosenhan did not have information for either blaze.
As for the fires’ causes, Rosenhan would not comment and said Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department’s fire investigators are looking into at least one of the blazes.
While temperatures continue to remain near or below the freezing mark, Rosenhan asks residents to warm their homes with only proper heating elements.
Improper heating, along with cooking accidents and issues with holiday decorations, lighting and candles, are the leading causes of winter structure fires, he said.
Outlying county residents can contact Rosenhan at (662) 435-0565 and request that volunteers provide and install free smoke detectors.
Starkville Fire Department similarly disburses free smoke detectors to city residents in the spring.
Residents can inquire with firefighters at Fire Station No. 1 for smoke detectors by calling (662) 323-1277.
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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