Video: Early Morning House Fire Claims Life Of ‘Pillar Of The Community”

OKOLONA, MISS. (WCBI) – Firemen were called to the three story home around 5:30 in the morning.

“As soon as we pulled up it was fully involved, had fire coming out the downstairs and upstairs,” said Okolona Fire Chief Terry Tucker.  He said the home’s owner, Houston Minniece, was alerted to the smoke and flames by “Sandy” , one of the family’s pets. Mr Minniece’s wife, Becky,” was in a bedroom on the second floor, and could not escape in time.

The historic home was built by Houston Minniece’s great grandfather. The family home was full of many antiques, including a bed, that was used by General Ulysses S Grant during the Civil War.

Chief Tucker says the blaze was tough to bring under control.

“It’s a tinder box, you are a little quicker from first phase of fire to free burn, when it vents out and really goes, we try to get it in first phase where we can knock them out, but some of these old houses, they have void spaces, get air quicker and they vent,” Chief Tucker said.

The chief says Becky Minniece was loved and respected by everyone she encountered.

“She was a pillar of this community, involved in history and decorated for Christmas and comes to a lot of board meetings, great woman and pillar of this community,” Tucker said.

The state fire marshal is investigating, and Chief Tucker encourages people to pray for the family as they deal with an unexpected tragedy.

By the way, “Sandy” made it out along with her owner, However, four other pets, Foxy, Tramp, Buster and Poncho, were also lost in the fire.