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JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - The state’s top fire inspector says Thalia Mara Hall can’t safely reopen, following a walkthrough of the facility one day before it was slated to reopen.

On Thursday, the State Fire Marshal conducted a follow-up walkthrough of the 2,000-seat auditorium, months after it initially found 22 violations at the facility.

“While some fire safety issues have been fixed other issues are still being addressed. For example, fire curtains have not been installed; maintenance and inspection paperwork was not available for the elevator and escalators; the fire alarm system is showing trouble and there’s no timeline on when it may be fixed; the sprinkler system needs to be inspected and tested; and fire suppression tools need to be properly tagged,” the office wrote.

 

“When the City of Jackson (COJ) has addressed these safety concerns another walkthrough will be scheduled. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is committed to working with City of Jackson officials to protect the health and safety of the public and important cultural structures like Thalia Mara Hall.”

 

The hall closed in August after microbial growth was found in the facility. Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said Thalia Mara was slated to reopen on Friday.

 

However, officials with Marshal Mike Chaney’s office say the report means the opening will be delayed again.

 

Jackson officials say they had not read the fire marshal’s report but will provide a statement once they review it and get feedback from contractors.