Searcy, Ark.-Searcy firefighters found early on that their hoses weren’t going to be much help battling flames that destroyed a feed and fertilizer warehouse at Caldwell Country Store late Jan. 11. According to the Arkansas Dept. of Emergency Management, the warehouse contained 20 tons of biosolids and another 20 tons of ammonium nitrate. “The fire department responded with a HazMat team and put on water initially, mainly to keep power poles cool, but decided it would have to just let it burn out,” reported ADEM spokesman Tommy Jackson. A large cloud of smoke could be seen from Highway 67-167, and the smell of smoke was detected almost 30 miles away. Jackson said it was feared early on that residents of approximately 100 apartments in the area would have to evacuate because of wind conditions, but it wound up being unnecessary. Battalion Chief Lee Reed told the local press that at first heavy smoke, but no visible flames, allowed firefighters to enter the building and make an unsuccessful initial attack. When it became known about the ammonium nitrate the decision was made to pull the firefighters out of the possible danger zone. “We decided to back off the fire and let it burn up as much of the ammonium nitrate as possible,” Reed said. The cause, which is still under investigation, was also a puzzle to Manager John King. “I’m not sure what started it and they can’t tell yet. I really am scared to say, (but) I don’t think anybody set it.” He said the building and its contents, which also included several tons of feed and two gallons of undetermined chemicals, were a total loss, but were covered by insurance. Caldwell has a feed mill in Rose Bud and seven stores, two of which are located in Searcy and Conway, and also sells feed, animal health supplies, tack, clothing, and boots.
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