State Fire Marshal Cites Frayed Wire, Candle as Cause of Trade Mart Fire

Accident blamed for cancellation of Spring Market and vendor losses

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:55pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a frayed electrical cord against a pitch-black background, capturing the stark, gritty details of the potential fire hazard.A close examination of the fire's origin reveals the hazards of faulty electrical equipment and open flames at public events.Mississippi State Today

The Mississippi State Fire Marshal's report has officially ruled the March 21 fire at the Mississippi Trade Mart as an accident, citing a frayed electrical cord and a lit candle near a curtain as the likely causes. The fire forced the cancellation of the Spring Market and other weekend events, resulting in lost business and merchandise for some vendors.

Why it matters

The Trade Mart fire highlights the importance of fire safety protocols at large public events, where electrical equipment, open flames, and flammable materials can pose serious risks. The findings may prompt reviews of vendor booth setup and fire prevention measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The details

According to the report, the fire started along the curtain wall separating two vendor booths - Prostyle Paris and Savvy Gourmand. A deputy fire marshal noticed that each vanity in the Prostyle Paris booth had a multi-plug attached with three power cords for hair styling equipment, and the stranded wire for one of the cords was frayed and separated. The deputy fire marshal also saw video footage of a woman in the Prostyle Paris booth lighting a candle on a shelf near the fabric curtain shortly before the fire started. The fire marshal determined the blaze likely originated from either the candle or an electrical failure.

  • The fire occurred on March 21, 2026.
  • The State Fire Marshal's report was released on April 10, 2026.

The players

Mississippi State Fire Marshal

The state agency responsible for investigating the cause of the fire at the Mississippi Trade Mart.

Prostyle Paris

A vendor booth at the Mississippi Trade Mart where the fire is believed to have started.

Savvy Gourmand

A vendor booth at the Mississippi Trade Mart that was adjacent to the Prostyle Paris booth where the fire started.

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What’s next

The Mississippi State Fire Marshal's office is expected to work with the Trade Mart's management to review fire safety protocols and vendor booth setup requirements to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The takeaway

The Trade Mart fire serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to fire safety, particularly at large public events where electrical equipment, open flames, and flammable materials can pose serious risks. This incident may prompt a broader examination of fire prevention measures to protect both vendors and attendees.