Nine people were killed during an apartment fire early Monday morning at Academy Crossing Apartments in Starkville.
Starkville Fire Department Fire Marshal Stein McMullen said the fire department received a call around 4:30 a.m. regarding the apartment.
McMullen said six children ranging from ages 5 months to 6 years old and three adults ranging from 18 to 25 years old were killed in the fire.
“As far as we know, none of the adults were affiliated with MSU,” McMullen said.
Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt referred The Reflector to West Memorial Funeral Home.
Carolyn West, West Memorial Funeral Home owner, said the victims were Castella Bell, 18, and her three children Ta’Nayia Bell, 4, Jayvion Bell, 3, and Sumaya Bell, 6 months; India Williams, 25, and her three children Jacorian Vasser, 6, Richard Vasser, 5, and Kamarion Williams, 2; and Lakesha Gillespie, 20.
The Reflector will post more information as it becomes available.
Managing editor Aubra Whitten contributed to this story.