July 17--OCEAN SPRINGS -- Four employees of Southern Mississippi Funeral Services escaped unharmed Wednesday when a fire started in the business on Government Street.
Until the damage is repaired, the funeral home will operate from a temporary office in the parking lot, said Jason Moody, the vice president.
Moody, also a Jackson County deputy coroner, said he and three funeral home employees were in the building when the smoke alarm went off and then they saw the fire.
"We were able to get some equipment out, but there were no bodies here at the time," he said. "We have made provisions to continue offering our services until we can work out of our building again."
Deputy Fire Chief Nate Wilson said firefighters responding to an 8:30 a.m. call found fire in a back room. They put out the fire in 20 minutes or less, cooled hot spots and cleared the scene by 11:15 a.m.
Wilson said the building also sustained smoke and heat damage.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
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