Vicksburg Fire Chief Derrick Stamps said the string of house fires across Vicksburg in recent weeks have not been related, but that’s no reason for residents to let their guards down when it comes to preventative measures.

“It’s been nothing that was really just negligence, or anyone’s fault necessarily,” Stamps said. “It’s not like people have
been leaving heaters on or anything like that.”

Stamps said, while a blaze last week at 909 Wabash Avenue was determined to have been the result of a cigarette or cigar that was not completely extinguished, the fire is not believed to have been set intentionally.

A fire Saturday night at 1023 Buck Street was the result of an electrical malfunction, he said.

“Just being conscious of things,” Stamps said of what people can do to prevent structure fires. “Just being careful cooking, if you’re going to leave the room or something; set a timer. Little things like that.”

As summer approaches, Stamps said the fire department’s focus often shifts from heating-related fires to those caused by cooking.

“Just being careful with cooking this time of year is where we’re at right now,” he said. “Even with grilling, definitely want people to cool their charcoal. Wet them down pretty good when you dump it. Don’t cook under carports and just things like
that.”