WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Fire leaves a Rankin County family homeless

Fire leaves a Rankin County family homeless

By Roslyn Anderson - bio | email

RANKIN COUNTY, MS (WLBT) - A Rankin County family is homeless after a fire left their home in ruins Tuesday afternoon.

A passerby reported hearing an explosion around 2:30 before seeing flames shoot from the front of the house located in Star.

Tammy Jennings was overcome with grief as she watched her Muse Road home of just over one year go up in flames.

The 40 year old mother of two said she and her husband Samuel, with the help of family and friends, renovated the house that once sat vacant and overgrown with brush.

She said her Star dream home was built with donated equipment and used and left over materials.

"I was coming up 18 Highway and the firemen passed me and I got here, and my house was all in flames. My husband went to the store. He came back around the curve and there was nothing, engulfed in flames," said Tammy Jennings as she wiped away tears rolling down her cheeks."

Jennings is a cook.

Her husband is a farmer.

They are grateful their 11 year old son and four year old daughter had not gotten home from school when the fire started. 

Unfortunately they recently cancelled their insurance because they could not afford the payments.

"We heard the sirens and when we come running outside we seen it blazing. I'm talking blazing really bad," said neighbor lLsa Wingate, who stood in her front yard looking at firefighters trying to douse flames at the rear of the home.

The Star and Florence Fire Departments, as well as Rankin County Emergency Operations responded to the scene.

"We have a lot of problems getting to the fire because of the basement and double roof on it. A lot of it's up in the attic. The house is pretty well gone. There may be a few things they can salvage out of it, but I have already contacted the Red Cross to help the family out," said Star Fire Chief Lee Boggs.  

Witnesses reported seeing an explosion.

The fire chief said four freon tanks were found in the basement and may have been a cause.

Upon arriving at the scene firefighters found that flames had engulfed the left side of the home.

"We've lost everything. I'm not worried about me. It's my kids that I'm worried about," added Jennings.  

The couple's 11 year old boy wears size 12-14.

The four year old girl wears size 5/6.  

Tammy Jennings wears women's size 16, while Samuel Jennings wears 34 mens.

If you would like to help the  Jennings family call Pat Hopkins at 601-824-0305.