Homeless living in vacant historic house blamed for fire

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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Another vacant home in Jackson, believed to have been occupied by homeless people, catches fire. The decades-old house was considered a historic structure in Belhaven Heights.

Residents fear which abandoned building could be next.

A fire on Sunday destroyed a vacant historic home on Jefferson Street, where residents say homeless people lived.

The fire was the result of human involvement, said Cleotha Sanders, assistant chief of the Jackson Fire Department.

Those who live in the Historic District say they have been stripped of the historic past.

Someone had to have an open flame to light the fire. There is no electricity in the house, no gas, Sanders said. So someone had to be there to light the fire.

It’s a concern for residents who fear more fires will be started by those living in vacant homes in the neighborhood.

We have a huge homeless population in the areas, and it has migrated to the residential area of ​​the neighborhood, Anthony Scarbrough said.

The 18-year-old resident is vice president of the Belhaven Heights Community Association. The white frame house was a staple of the community once owned by a psychiatrist who worked at UMMC in its early days.

It is very important for us to preserve this in any way possible. Every dilapidated house must be demolished, Scarbrough said. Any house that catches fire is a huge loss not only to the district, but to the state, as these houses are listed with the Department of State Records.

Each year, Jackson firefighters see an increase in fires in vacant structures as temperatures drop.

We ask that you call your local police department to let someone know that, Hey, you know, we have someone coming in and out of this house, and they shouldn’t be, a recommended Deputy Chief Sanders.

The homeless population needs services. Everyone deserves a place to stay. But it must be dealt with pragmatically, Scarbrough added. This is another property that we have lost and can never recover.

It is not known if any charges have been filed.

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