The cause of a holiday season tragedy that claimed the lives of three Como youngsters in a blaze remains under investigation today.
The fire broke out during the early morning hours Sunday leaving children dead and their father injured.
According to Gerald White of the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, who along with Deputy State Fire Marshall Chuck Moore is investigating the cause, a call came into dispatchers around 3 a.m. reporting a trailer fire on Parks Place Road.
"All that is known at this point is that the family of eight was in the home asleep when the fire started," White said. "The cause of the fire is still under investigation."
The three children, Ellis Thompson III, 2; Jevarous Thompson, 3; and Quanaleshia Thompson, 7, were pronounced dead at the scene by Panola County Coroner Donna Stevens.
Ellis Thompson Jr., was taken to Tri-Lakes Medical Center where he was treated for burns and smoke inhalation he suffered while rescuing two of the three surviving children. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is at home recovering.
Ellis Jr., wife Star and children Elliot, Ratsille and Iciey, survived the fire that also took the family’s home.
"I can tell you that the home was a total loss," Sardis Fire Chief Bo Holloway said.
The funeral for the children was scheduled to have been Wednesday at the Pleasant Green M.B. Church in Sardis. Robinson and Son Funeral Home of Grenada had charge of the arrangements.
An account has been set up at First Security Bank in Sardis to help the family with funeral expenses and other expenses incurred while getting another home.
Anyone interested in making a donation should contact First Security Bank at 487-1661.
Those wishing to offer other assistance can contact Rhonda Jones, Area Social Work Supervisor at the Panola County Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children’s Services in Sardis at 487-2098. If you are phoning during the holidays (after noon Wednesday through Dec. 29 at 8 a.m.) contact dispatch at the sheriff’s department at 563-6230.
Clothing sizes for the family are as follows:
– Elliot (age 1) size 2T, shoe size 5 1/2
– Ratsille (age 4) size 4-5T, shoe size 10
– Iciey (age 6) size 5-6, shoe size 11
– Star (mother) size 8-10 ladies pants, small ladies shirts and shoes 9 1/2 ladies
– Ellis (father) size 32×34 pants, large shirts, shoes 11 1/2 -12 men’s.
With Christmas over, Fireworks stands in Panola County are gearing up for big sales, but people buying fireworks should exercise caution with their use.
