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By Anna Commander
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A "terrible" fire at Brookdale Senior Living in Clinton, Mississippi, on Wednesday prompted evacuations and secondary searches, Governor Tate Reeves said on X.
Reeves called the blaze "truly an awful situation," adding that the Mississippi State Department of Health, multiple fire departments and emergency crews are on scene.
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Clinton is more than 10 miles northwest of Jackson, the state capital.
What We Know
Marlee Price-Cook, director of communications for Clinton, told Newsweek that around 5 p.m. local time, the Clinton Fire Department responded to the facility, which houses 102 people.
It is immediately unclear if there are fatalities, she said, adding that some residents have been transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injures.
Other residents are being transported to Morrison Heights Baptist Church on Hampstead Boulevard to be reunited with their families, Price-Cook said.
"Please continue praying for everyone affected. Thank you to all of the first responders who have quickly sprung into action to help those in need," Reeves concluded in his post to X.
Local outlet WJTV reported that firefighters rescued people through windows of the burning building, citing Clinton Fire Chief Levius Buckley. The chief told the outlet that two wings of the facility are a total loss.
The cause of the fire is unknown and will be under investigation, Price-Cook said in an updated release Wednesday night.
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In the release sent to Newsweek, Price-Cook said the fire has been "brought under control," adding that fire crews conducted secondary sweeps, and emergency crews are working to account for all residents of the senior living facility. She reiterated in the release that "officials have not confirmed whether any lives were lost as a result of the fire."
Representatives for Brookdale and emergency personnel are working to reconnect the residents with their loved ones, the release also says. Family members seeking information on facility residents are urged to call 601-926-1224 to speak directly with a representative.
The public is asked to avoid the area to allow for emergency crews to safely continue their work.
The Jackson Fire Department and Hinds County Volunteer Fire Department assisted Clinton's firefighters with emergency response operations and battling the blaze, Price-Cook says.
This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Edward T. Cummins
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