Natalie Demaree – Lexington Herald-Leader
A Mississippi couple was arrested after investigators said they sold faulty fire suppression systems to over 50 businesses, including day care centers.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office released a statement Friday, Aug. 23, saying that Daniel Finnegan and his wife, Sherri, were arrested Aug. 21 at their home in Smith County. They were booked into the county jail after being “accused of installing faulty and used fire suppression systems in commercial kitchens.”
“Faulty fire suppression systems can lead to an abrupt spread of a grease fire that puts occupants and firefighters in danger of injury or death,” Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Connie Dolan told McClatchy News.
According to 2022 national estimates by the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking fires — including grease fires — are the leading cause of fires in nonresidential buildings.
Investigators say Finnegan was “repainting and replacing parts on used fire extinguishers and selling them.” The couple also operated their Pelahatchie-based business, Finnegan’s Fire Safety Equipment, without registering with the Secretary of State, according to officials.
Based on information found while serving a search warrant in the couple’s home Aug. 22, more than 50 charges are pending in 13 counties, officials said.
The SFMO asked people who bought systems from Finnegan to report their experience at 601-359-1061. They said they would provide resources to businesses affected in order to replace the faulty systems.
A spokesperson for the SFMO told McClatchy News their office has received more calls since the statement was shared.
Pelahatchie is about a 25 mile drive east of Jackson.
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