A Sunday morning structural fire in Lafayette County was cause for assistance from the Mt. Vernon VFD (Volunteer Fire Department) in Waldo. The call was taken by the Columbia County department around 1 p.m. on Nov. 12 after the Stamps VFD requested help with a residential fire in Buckner. According to reports, the blaze was caused after a car collided with an electrical pole while exiting southbound off U.S. Highway 82.
Efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by the subsequent downed power lines. At least one of the vehicle’s occupants was taken by ambulance to the Magnolia Regional Medical Center, while other passengers were able to exit the car without incident.
During the fire, a natural gas line flowed unchecked at the home due a valve issue. Centerpoint Energy responded and finally terminated the gas leak.
Other agencies assisting the Sunday incident were the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, Stamps PD, and Arkansas State Police which provided traffic control. Members of the Lewisville VFD and Waldo VFD also responded.