Firefighters in Cleburne County and surrounding areas responded to multiple structure and grass fires on Tuesday, including a commercial fire at a well-known Heber Springs restaurant and two separate structure fires handled by the Southside Volunteer Fire Department.
The Heber Springs Fire Department was dispatched at about 9:11 p.m. Tuesday to a reported commercial structure fire at the Smoke House Restaurant (pictured above, left). Crews arriving on scene reported visible fire and smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters entered the building and located the fire in the kitchen area, where it was contained along with a portion of the roof.
The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire, and no employees were inside. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was not released. The business will remain closed temporarily while damage is assessed and repairs are made.
Earlier in the day, the Southside Volunteer Fire Department responded to six calls, including three grass fires, two structure fires, and one service call.
The first incident involved a large grass fire on Walter D Road that spread and damaged a vehicle and other property at a neighboring home, but was stopped before reaching the house. While crews were working that fire, units were dispatched to assist a person stuck on the roof of a home. Firefighters safely brought the individual down.
Later calls included two additional small grass fires in the district.
At about 4:54 p.m., crews responded to a structure fire at Bobby Lane and Clint Street, where heavy smoke was reported from what appeared to be a vacant house. Firefighters controlled an attic fire within six minutes of arrival. A second structure fire was reported at about 5:41 p.m. at an abandoned building in Salado near the department’s station and was brought under control with minimal damage.
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents, and neither structure was considered a total loss.
Images via the Heber Springs Fire Department and the Southside Volunteer Fire Department
Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Get up-to-date local and regional news/weather from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3 KWOZ every weekday morning and afternoon. White River Now updates are also aired on weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Catch CBS News around the top of every hour on 1340 KBTA.
