Jackson Women Killed In Fire BelongsTo Prominent Family

Arson investigator Greg Travis assessed what was left of the boarding house at 722 Mill Street Wednesday. He wonders if things would have turned out differently if the home had a working smoke detector. “If there’s nothing to alert someone that there is a fire it could be very devastating,“ said Travis. An autopsy completed Wednesday on Natalie Skinner shows she died of smoke inhalation. The victim’s family owns the Skinner’s car dealership in Terry. The 41-year old was renting a room at a boarding house in Mid-town Jackson that went up in flames. Firefighters said they didn’t find any smoke detectors inside the home. It’s the most important thing Travis said every home should have. Still he said there are plenty of people living in Jackson without one. “Because of the magnitude of the noise that it makes when it’s activated It could make the difference between life and death.“ The arson investigator believes that’s what contributed to the Tuesday’s deadly house fire. Travis hopes the life lost there is a wake up call for everyone. “When someone doesn’t have a smoke detector in their home it’s devastating to us because of some of the consequences that we have to face by not having a smoke detector in the home.

Ernest Boone is now accused of starting the fire. Police arrested the 54-year-old Tuesday afternoon. Boone is facing one count of arson. He could face more charges. Investigators said Boone’s girlfriend also lived at the home. Witnesses said the couple got into an argument shortly before the fire started.

Every year the Jackson Fire Department gives away smoke detectors to families. If you need one, call the department at (601) 960-1399 and arrange to pick one up or have one brought to you.