BFD fights 3 fires hours apart

Blytheville firemen battled three structure fires just hours apart; none resulted in injuries.

Around 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, the Blytheville Fire Department responded to the 1200 block of West Ash, fighting the blaze for about two hours.

While they were at the West Ash fire, firemen received a call of a kitchen stove fire in the 100 block of Coleridge, staying on the scene for about 15 minutes.

Then, around 1 a.m. Thursday, firemen fought a fire in the 1700 block of Basin for about an hour and a half.

The West Ash fire had heavy flames when crews arrived, according to Blytheville Fire Chief Mike Carney.

Flames were coming from the west window.

“Crews attempted to make entry through front door,” Carney said. “Due to heavy content load of furniture and storage boxes in the room fire crews had to exit and make entry through opposite side of house. The fire at this time had already gotten into the attic and early reports were the possibility of a victim inside the structure. Search-and-rescue efforts were made finding no persons inside. It was later found out the person in question was located at another residence nearby and was safe.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Carney noted the structure had no legal active utilities, though it appeared to be occupied to some extent.

“While at the Ash Street fire a second house fire was reported at 9:55 p.m. on the 100 block of Coleridge,” Carney said. “Units responded to that residence to find a kitchen stove fire which resulted in minor fire damage and moderate smoke damage.”

Crews preformed smoke removal and departed the scene at 10:10 p.m.

Early Thursday morning, firemen responded to structure fire in the 1700 block of Basin.

“Structure was heavily involved with flames,” Carney said. “Firefighters could not approach the house from the front because of electric service line on fire. Fire approach was made from rear and side. Fire was extinguished. No utilities were active at this structure. Firefighters remained on scene until 2:35 a.m. and departed with no injuries. The cause of this fire is under investigation also.”