Chaney Says Mississippi’s Neshoba Fairgrounds Fire an Accident

This week’s fire at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds has been ruled an accident related to electricity.

That’s according to Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, who doubles as the state fire marshal.

The fire Monday morning destroyed 15 cabins and damaged seven others, days after electricity had been turned on to prepare for this summer’s fair. Four firefighters were treated for exhaustion.

Most cabins usually are occupied only during the weeklong fair each July or August.

The Neshoba Democrat newspaper reports that the fire started in Cabin 893 in the “new” section of the sprawling fairgrounds. Some of the burned cabins were demolished with a back hoe.

This year’s Neshoba County Fair is scheduled for July 22-29. The event attracts thousands of people for political speeches, horse racing and other entertainment.