A Pearcy woman was airlifted to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock Thursday morning following a possibly suspicious structure fire on South Harris Road, according to 70 West Fire Chief Autumn Carlisle.
"The fire is believed to be suspicious in nature and it has been turned over to the Garland County Sheriff's Department for investigation," Carlisle said in a news release later in the day.
A total of 12 volunteer firefighters from three different departments fought the blaze, which also caused a small grass fire. The building was destroyed by the fire.
The 70 West Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire at 407 S. Harris Road around 9:50 a.m. with two engines, a tanker and six firefighters. Piney and Bonnerdale fire departments also offered assistance, with Piney sending a brush truck and three firefighters, and Bonnerdale providing an engine and three firefighters.
Carlisle said the first units on scene noted the one-story building, which bystanders said was used for storage, was difficult to access and the fire had consumed 75 percent of the structure when they arrived.
Just as firefighters began to fight the flames, they reportedly saw a woman emerge from a side window located on a portion of the structure that was still standing.
A witness told The Sentinel-Record the building was used to store items including clothing and family photos, and had no electricity. The woman was allegedly in the building just prior to it catching fire.
LifeNet responded to treat the woman's injuries before she was airlifted to Little Rock.
Local on 10/20/2017