A Mississippi couple is behind bars for installing faulty fire extinguishers inside commercial kitchens.
Daniel and Sherri Finnegan were arrested at their Smith County home on Wednesday. The couple is accused of knowingly placing untested fire suppression systems into businesses, putting people at risk in the event of a blaze breaking out.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), the couple conducted their operations as Finnegans Fire Safety Equipment and were located in Pelahatchie, though they never registered their business with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.
The systems installed by the Finnegans reportedly did not work. In addition, Daniel Finnegan was also tagging fire extinguishers without testing them. He would repaint and replace parts on used fire extinguishers and sell them as new.
Finnegan sold many systems to daycares and other businesses. While some of those businesses are known, the SFMO is asking others who bought systems from the Finnegans to call (601)359-1061 to report their experience. The SFMO will provide resources to those businesses so they can replace the faulty systems with new ones, using reputable companies.
The couple has been booked into the Smith County Jail. They face charges of false pretense and violation of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code in at least 13 counties.
