Rector firefighters attack blaze at Second Street home [Click to enlarge]

A Rector home was heavily damaged in an early morning fire Monday, July 21.

Firefighters were called to the home of Ellen Carter at 215 West Second Street at 2:30 a.m. when a neighbor called 911. The unnamed neighbor told the emergency operator fire was visible in the back bedroom of Carter's house.

According to the fire report, when emergency personnel arrived at the scene, a large blaze was visible in the back area of the house where the neighbor had first seen the flames. At that point, thick smoke also was billowing out of the home.

Firefighters contacted Entergy and Arkansas Western Gas to cut off utilities to the home in an effort to prevent further spread of flames.

Fortunately, no one was home during the blaze.

Firefighters were able to get the flames under control at approximately 3 a.m. An hour later, the remains of the home were considered clear of fire and the area was secured.

Contact was made with Carter by the Rector Fire Department later Monday morning. She had been out of town with her daughter during the weekend and had yet to return.

According to the fire report, the possibility of an electrical malfunction may have contributed to the fire, although the cause remains undetermined at this time.

Damage to the property was estimated at $30,000. There also was an estimated loss of $15,000 for the home's contents.

Fire and police officials have been given permission to enter the premises as needed for an investigation.