A mobile home fire in Marion County on Thursday night caused significant damage, leaving the structure a total loss, but no injuries were reported. Authorities believe a space heater may have ignited the blaze.
Summit Fire Chief Dwayne McFarland stated that the fire broke out at 232 Railroad Trail. The homeowner, Billy Faulkner, reported that he had turned on a space heater before stepping outside. Shortly afterward, he noticed smoke coming from the building. Faulkner and another man evacuated the home and rescued the dogs inside.
When firefighters arrived, the front part of the mobile home was engulfed in flames. Crews from Summit, Yellville, Flippin, Lakeway, Ralph-Caney, and Pine Mountain worked together to extinguish the fire. The call came in at 8:33 p.m., and responders remained on-site for approximately two and a half hours.
Chief McFarland used the opportunity to remind residents of fire safety precautions when using space heaters. He emphasized the importance of maintaining at least a three-foot clearance around heaters to prevent nearby objects from catching fire. Additionally, he urged homeowners using fireplaces to have their chimneys cleaned ahead of the winter season to reduce the risk of fire hazards.