Historic structure up in flames

A Kennett firefighter sprays water onto the blaze. [Click to enlarge]

The loss is significant not only because of the many memories associated with the structure, familiar to Rectorites for more than 80 years, but also because of the magnitude of the disaster, which will be remembered as one of the largest fires in Rector's history.

So intense was the inferno, with flames reaching more than four stories into the sky, that additional help had to be called in from five other fire departments to help wage war against the burning building.

The fire was reported to the Rector Police Department at 6:21 p.m. Saturday by a passerby who saw smoke pouring from under the eaves of the building, most recently occupied by Rector Pallet Company. Owner/operator Charles Davis of Greenway said there was no one on the premises when the fire began.

Rector firemen responded quickly and noted thick, black smoke coming from all of the building's exterior openings. Within minutes, the Piggott and Marmaduke fire departments were contacted and calls were placed to Entergy and Arkansas Western Gas Company to shut off electrical and gas connections to the site.

"It was very challenging," said Rector fire chief Huston Bowden. "That was probably one of the toughest fires we've had to deal with since I've been here."

Two pumper trucks were used by the RFD to attack the north front and northeast corner of the structure. The Marmaduke truck focused on defensive protection for the pallet factory area located southwest, behind the enflamed original structure.

Ladder trucks from Piggott and Kennett were utilized to suppress the flames from above, extending their hoses nearly to the limit in order to remain beyond the high-reaching arms of the flames below. The Piggott truck was positioned at Fifth and Main, while the Kennett truck took its position near the Main Street railroad crossing. The fire was reported to Union Pacific Railroad along with a request to halt railroad traffic until the fire was under control.

The Greenway and Northeast Greene County departments provided additional manpower to help with the battle.

By 7:15 p.m., less than an hour into the effort, five fire trucks operated by four different departments were in place, with firefighters utilizing their training to contain the blaze. Roadblocks were set up on the connecting streets to halt traffic flow into the affected area.

Though the response was quick and a wealth of assistance available, the combustible nature of the building and its wood contents provided ample fuel for the fire to increase in size and intensity. The firefighters battled the blaze extensively, pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion and beyond in hot, smoke-filled conditions.

After a long struggle, firemen gained control of the fire around 8:30 p.m. By that time, the roof of the original building had collapsed. A city-owned backhoe was brought in to level the remaining walls.

With the main threat eliminated, outside departments began their return home around 9 p.m., and Main Street near the area of the fire reopened with the RFD continuing to monitor the situation.

Rector crews remained fully-equipped at the site until midnight, and some Rector firefighters continued to watch the structure through the remainder of the night.

Through the combined efforts, firemen were able to save about 90 percent of the structure's rear portion, where Davis does the bulk of his pallet work.

Davis told the Democrat he thinks he may still be able to use the area, which also houses most of his tools and equipment, the majority of which were protected.

"That was outstanding," Davis said of the firefighters' effort to keep that area from the blaze. "When you're watching a fire like that, you think everything's gone. When the flames shot up like they did, I thought it was all going to go."

Davis said he hopes to rebuild.

"I'd like to rebuild something there, though maybe not as big," he added. "I didn't use the whole building, so I might look at something smaller. It's a little demoralizing right now. That building was like a landmark, more or less."

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this time.

What is known, however, is that when the need arose, the surrounding communities gathered together to do a difficult, life-threatening job.

"I have the utmost praise for the firefighters, not only ours, but the mutual aid fire departments, as well," Bowden said. "There's no telling how that situation might have turned out if we hadn't had the support of our firefighters and the mutual aid firefighters. These guys give up so much of their time to attend training so they can help others when called."

Bowden wasn't alone in his praise. Although understandably shaken by facing extensive losses, Davis was quick to note the efforts of the fire departments.

"I'd like to thank each and every fireman that showed up and stayed through it all," Davis said. "It gives me a whole new perspective. You never really think about something like this until it happens to you."

Bowden also expressed his appreciation to the Rector Fire Department Auxiliary and community volunteers who provided sandwiches and cold drinks to the overheated members of the various fire departments.

"I want to say a special thanks to the firemen's wives and all the other people who turned out to help. I can't tell you what it means to a firefighter that's hot and exhausted when someone brings them some water or Gatorade and a sandwich. We appreciate all the people who helped."

Mayor Ron Kemp also praised the work of the local volunteer fire department, as well as the neighboring forces that responded to the call.

"I think all the firemen did an outstanding job in the face of very difficult and dangerous circumstances," Kemp said. "Everyone in the community owes a debt of gratitude to our volunteer firemen for their dedication and courage."