The death toll has risen to three as a result of a weekend explosion north of Loyd Star. Three others were injured, one seriously.

Copiah County Sheriff Byron Swilley said the incident happened Sunday afternoon at a home in the 3000 block of Wilderness Road, in Copiah County. He said the cause of the explosion is under investigation, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting in the case.

Three people who were seriously injured were airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, one from the scene and two from Copiah County Medical Center, according to Emergency Management Director Scott Barnes.

Loyd Star Volunteer Fire Department and Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Chris Reid were on scene assisting units there.

The victims have been identified by the State Fire Marshal’s Office as 18-year-old Houston “Bubba” Jordan, a 2023 graduate of Reading Nook Academy and former Brookhaven Academy Cougars football player; his cousin, 14-year-old Toler Jordan, a Loyd Star Attendance Center student and football player; and 43-year-old Benjy Jordan, Bubba’s father.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office said Houston died at the scene; Toler and Benjy died Monday. The name of the person who was seriously injured has not been released, but he is being treated for injuries.

The State Fire Marshal is leading the investigation.

The official Brookhaven Academy Facebook page posted Monday, “Brookhaven Academy’s thoughts and prayers are with the Jordan Family.”

Loyd Star Attendance Center posted, “Pray for hurting families, pray for hurting classmates and teammates, pray for a hurting school, pray for a hurting community.”

Reading Nook Academy posted, “Sunday was a tragic day … Bubba Jordan was a 2023 graduate of RNA. First student for the school in 2014, graduate in 2023, and a beacon of light to everyone, especially his family and extended family. Keep everyone in your prayers.”

The Loyd Star Touchdown Club has organized a collection to benefit the Jordan family. Donations can be submitted to the club via check or PayPal. Checks can be made to the Touchdown Club with “Jordans” on the note line. PayPal donations can be submitted to sarahbug5683@hotmail.com. One-hundred percent of all donations will go to the family.

If you know of other collections or tributes, please let us know at news@dailyleader.com.