Rogers Fire Department: No ‘residual contamination’ in air from Marck Industries fire

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — UPDATE: The Rogers Fire Department’s special operations team says it sampled the air on site of the fire at Marck Industries and found no elevated levels outside of the smoke.

The fire department says this means no “residual contamination” has occurred. It says everyone is encouraged to consider their personal health characteristics and avoid contact with smoke from any fire.

The department says it continues to work to extinguish the flames.

It says a bulldozer and other heavy equipment are being used to break apart and move bales of recylables to manageable piles.

The fire department says there will continue to be intermittent light to moderate smoke plumes visible from the scene and is expected to continue for several days.

The investigation into the cause of the fire found that around 1.8 million pounds of cardboard contributed to the fuel. There were also around six tractors and 30 semi-trailers behind the buildings. Additional fuel for the fire was bales of recyclable plastics and aluminum. Most of the unburned materials are being moved away from the flames.

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — First responders are still on the scene of a major fire at Marck Industries recycling center .

At 11:52 a.m. Oct. 17, the Rogers Fire Department said fire companies were still on the scene at a fire reported around 3 p.m. Oct. 16.

“Thanks to the quick response from members and resources from not only our department but over a dozen other departments from the area, the fire remains contained to the property of origin,” the update said.

Air quality alerts for hazardous smoke warnings recommend that people with respiratory problems, the elderly, and children seek shelter or shelter in place.

The agencies that responded to the fire were:

Rogers Central Dispatch, Rogers Police Department, Bentonville Fire Department, Fayetteville Fire Department, Springdale Fire Department, Pear Ridge Fire Department, Lowell Fire Department, Cave Springs Fire Department, Avoca Fire Department, Beaver Lake Fire Department, Hickory Creek Fire Department, Highway 94 East Fire Department, Farmington Fire Department, Little Flock Fire Department, Pleasure Heights Fire Department, XNA Fire Department, Washington County Department of Emergency Management, Benton County Fire Marshal and the Arkansas Forestry.

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