Lafayette County Fire Department Responds to Six Icy Home Fires, Five Chimney-Related

The Lafayette County Fire Department responded to six residential fires while Lafayette County remained iced over, and five of the fires were related to chimneys, according to Alyssa Schnugg of the Oxford Eagle. The incidents came amid a heavy storm period that produced hazardous conditions across the county.

“Four of the fires went beyond the chimney and impacted other areas of the homes; however, firefighters were able to stop all the fires without the homes being a total loss,” the report said. “One of the chimney fires stayed confined to the chimney space and did not affect the rest of the house.” Another of the six incidents “was due to a utility pole falling on the home.” Fire crews contained all six structure fires and prevented total losses at the affected properties.

The Lafayette County Fire Department logged heavy call volume during the storm window. “The department responded to 222 calls from Jan. 23 through Feb. 1.” Along with the six structure fire calls, firefighters responded to 24 public service requests, one rescue call, two for the smell of gas, 97 medical calls, three wrecks and one vehicle fire. An Instagram post by the department summarized the effort: “During the storm response, we've handled 222+ calls for service including 6 structure fires, most of them tied to chimney related issues.”

County officials noted a clear jurisdictional split: “The Oxford Fire Department reported there were no structure fires inside the city limits last week,” while Lafayette County crews answered the county incidents outside municipal boundaries. The distinction matters for residents to know which agency serves their neighborhood and where to direct follow-up questions about damage, mutual aid or safety inspections.

Background on the county department provides context for the response scale. “The Lafayette County Fire Department began as a 501©(3) non-profit organization that was incorporated as the Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Department on March 30, 1977…” The department now operates out of 15 fire stations, serves more than 40,000 people across 650 square miles and lists capabilities including fire suppression, community risk reduction, search and rescue, rope rescue and emergency medical services. Current leadership includes Wes Anderson as Fire Coordinator and Fire Chief; Jerry Johnson previously served as Fire Coordinator from 1992 to 2015. Chief Anderson reports to the Lafayette County Administrator and the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors.

For Lafayette County residents, the string of chimney-related incidents is a practical reminder that winter heating and icy storms can increase fire risk. Fire officials handled dozens of medical and public-service calls alongside structure fires during the storm, stretching resources across a broad service area. Residents should take precautions around home heating, ensure chimneys and vents are maintained, and contact the Lafayette County Fire Department for local safety guidance or to request inspections. Follow-up reporting will seek details on exact locations, causes and any damage estimates as officials release further information.