The Meridian Fire Department is asking the public for information regarding a fire that burned New Life Church in the Tuxedo community late Wednesday. Fire Chief Micheal Evans said firefighters responded to the 200 block of Fifth Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. where they saw flames coming from all sides of the building, endangering the house behind it.

Firefighters focused their initial effort on ensuring that a neighboring home did not catch fire, but the fire was so hot it still melted blinds inside of the home.

Evans said three individuals escaped the fire; however, they could not confirm if anyone was or was not still in the building.

“If anybody in the area knows someone is not accounted for, or if they know of a missing person in this area, if they would contact the fire department to let us know,” he said. “They could call central dispatch, they could call 911 and give them the information or call the fire station to let us know if someone is missing in this area. It’s a lot of people that live here and we don’t know their names. We just need a little information.”

He expressed the need to stay warm during the cold weather, but wants to remind people that the city does have shelter and warming stations set up for the homeless. He said it’s much safer to go to the shelter and stay warm than sheltering in old abandoned houses, and setting them on fire.

Thursday morning the city of Meridian focused its efforts on removing the debris from the building to conduct a proper search and ensure that no one was left in the building.

Once the debris is clear, the fire marshal will be able to identify the cause of the fire, Evans said.

“Preliminarily, we’re leaning towards an accident, but we’re not 100 percent sure,” said Evans. “ Once we get some of this debris out of the way our fire marshal here is going to go in there and determine for sure.”

Councilwoman Ty Bell Lindsey who represents the Tuxedo community on the Meridian City Council said her prayers are with members of the Tuxedo community.

“This community deserves accountability for what has been destroyed. Tuxedo will rise again, and together we will restore what has been lost. My prayers are with you all,” she said.

To call the fire station with any information pertaining to the fire, or a missing person call 601-485-1822.