By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
For the second time in a little more than a year, firefighters were called to the Citgo Flash Market at 203 Deaderick on Thursday afternoon.
Although the damage was not as severe this time, one person was injured.
According to the report by the Forrest City Fire Department, the fire was apparently caused by static electricity.
Derotha Sims, 28, of 1731 Indian Hills, was apparently exiting her car when she caused a spark. One spokesman said it was like the sparks caused when a person walks across a carpet and touches a metal door.
The spark apparently ignited gasoline fumes, and the resulting fire damaged the car and destroyed a gas pump.
Sims was treated and released at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Forrest City.
Although some witnesses said the blaze appeared frightening, flames were knocked down quickly once the firefighters were on the scene.
Damage to Sims' 1991 Oldsmobile was estimated at $500. Damage to the business was estimated at around $15,000.
It was on Nov. 17 of last year that a more serious incident occurred. On that day, an explosion destroyed the business. Although there were employees and customers inside the building at the time of the explosion, amazingly there were no injuries.
The building was a total loss.
The cause of the explosion was not known immediately. However, investigators believed the nature of the explosion pointed to a natural gas leak. The day after the explosion, it was determined that they were right. Natural gas leaking extremely slowly from a pipe managed to build up in the upper part of the store, and it was ignited when a water heater, also located in the upper part of the store, came on.
An official stated at the time that before any new business or home is occupied, there is an inspection for gas leaks. Flash Market had been duly inspected when it opened a few years earlier, and had passed.
It was determined that there was no way the incident could have been foreseen.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
With Christmas approaching, area garbage agencies are making arrangements for an amended holiday schedule.
Officials with King Disposal, which handles trash pickup in Forrest City, and B&B Disposal, which handles county pickup, said both agencies will run normal schedules for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.
The two companies, however, differ on how they will handle pickup following the holidays.
According to Joe King with King Disposal, Forrest Citians can expect normal pickup on scheduled days with the exception of those with Tuesday pickup. Those customers will be rescheduled for Friday pickup.
County residents will see their normal schedule backed up by one day with trucks running on Saturday.
King also offered suggestions for easier disposal of excess garbage following Christmas.
"If people break down their boxes it makes it a lot easier for them to get more stuff in the containers. If they bag the paper up really tight you can often get more into one bag and save space in the trash can," King said.
According to Clovis Macon with the City Street Department, Forrest Citians can also place some of the refuse on the curb for collection.
"People normally sit everything out on the curb, and we get around to it. That's really what we're expecting again this year. A lot of people help us out by taking the wrapping paper and basically piling it into one box, that makes it a lot easier for us. It's also important that people know to separate their piles. Paper and cardboard products will go in one pile, and wood and so forth in another," Macon said.
Garbage dumpsters at local businesses, which are rented by the business owners, should not be used for Christmas dumping. According to an official with the Forrest City Police Department, illegal dumping can net a $150 fine.
"When people dump in a businesses dumpster, then the company doesn't have room for its own garbage, and they rent those. It's basically theft of services just like with any theft of services," said King.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
The Christmas holiday has already begun for the Arkansas State Police, and although there will be special efforts this year, that doesn't mean there won't be a police presence on the highways.
"The holiday period started at one minute after midnight this morning," said Capt. Steve Gray, commander of Troop D, headquartered at Forrest City. "It will continue until midnight Tuesday night.
He said no special operations are planned.
"Traditionally, the Christmas period is not a problem traffic time for us," he said. "But we'll still have every available unit out working."
One good thing, he said, is that there won't be much construction for motorists to fight through.
"We're fortunate that the only construction in the troop is in eastern St. Francis County and into Crittenden County and West Memphis, he said.
Troop D takes in the counties of Crittenden, Phillips, Lee, St. Francis, Cross, Woodruff, Monroe and Prairie.