Officials with the Mississippi Fire Marshal”s office have ruled a fatal Tuesday night fire that claimed the life of a 3-year-old child accidental.
Following a Wednesday investigation, Deputy Mississippi Fire Marshal Ricky Davis determined the fire at a mobile home at 958 Sand Road began accidentally shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The blaze claimed the life of 3-year-old Landon Lowell Boyles-Jordan, who was pronounced dead at the scene from smoke inhalation, according to Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant.
“It was a very tragic situation. This is why the fire marshal”s office is doubling its efforts in getting out fire safety education,” Davis said. “Every family and every home needs to have a fire escape plan.”
According to Merchant, the child”s father, A.J. Jordan, told authorities he thought his son was safe outside as the father attempted to extinguish the blaze inside the mobile home.
However, the fire quickly spread inside the residence, and A.J. Jordan fled the mobile home and began searching for his son. After the father was unable to locate the child, he ran back inside, but was unable to breech the intense flames, Merchant said.
The child”s mother, Bailey Boyles, was not at home at the time of the fire.
Following the fire, investigators ruled out foul play in the incident, said Lowndes County Fire Administrator Sammy Fondren.
“The only time the county fire investigation team goes in is if there is arson expected or something like that,” Fondren said. “Any time there is a fire death, it falls under state jurisdiction.”
Funeral services for Boyles-Jordan will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus. Visitation will be held at the funeral home two hours prior to the service.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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