POCAHONTAS — The former Taco Casa building on Highway 67, damaged by fire earlier this year, was demolished in a controlled burn conducted by the Pocahontas Fire Department on Tuesday evening. Fire Chief Scott Baltz provided details about the process, emphasizing that all proper procedures were followed to ensure public safety and compliance with state regulations.
The building was heavily damaged when an electrical fire destroyed its interior on March 18. In the months that followed, the structure was repeatedly broken into, leading owners to express concerns about safety and liability. Worrying that someone could be injured, the owners initiated steps to demolish the property about two months ago, Baltz said.
The owners submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI) for demolition through the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). An asbestos inspection was required and returned a negative result, clearing the way for a controlled burn as part of a fire department training exercise. The owners were issued a permit with a deadline requiring the demolition to be completed between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10.
The Pocahontas Fire Department, having conducted numerous such burns for training purposes, coordinated closely with all parties involved. Verbal permission to proceed during an ongoing burn ban was granted by County Judge John Wicker, Baltz confirmed. "The fire department would never put the citizens in any kind of danger," Baltz said.
Baltz also highlighted the professionalism and dedication of the department’s full-time and volunteer firefighters, who handle a wide range of emergencies, including fires, water rescues, vehicle extractions, and grain bin rescues. “This team trains extensively to maintain readiness, and exercises like this burn are critical in ensuring swift response times that save lives and property,” he said.
Following the burn, the site was inspected by an ADEQ official responding to a complaint. Baltz stated that all required permits and paperwork were on-site and verified as complete by the inspector, who reportedly commended the thoroughness of the department’s compliance with state demolition protocols. The debris is being moved to the Greene County Landfill, per regulations.
Baltz noted the logistical complexities and time involved in such projects, thanking the community for their patience and encouraging residents to contact the fire department with any concerns. For more information, he provided his personal cell number (870-378-1380).