SEARCY, Ark. (AP) -- A fire ripped through the Searcy Fire Department, gutting the structure despite the efforts of 20 firefighters who tried to save the structure.
The building was a total loss, with only part of the frame left standing Friday morning. The building also housed the district court and probation office, both of which were lost in the fire.
The fire is believed to have started in the northeast corner of the second floor, where the probation department is, department spokesman Lt. Tim Webb said. No cause had been determined.
Four square blocks around the station - Race, Arch and Gum streets - were closed as firefighters worked in teams, initially with foam and then with water. The fire started at about 6:15 p.m. By 7:45 p.m., most of the second floor were consumed by the flames.
Officials were waiting Friday morning to learn whether it would be safe to enter the remainder of the structure to check for any documents that did not burn.
The building was built in the 1930's.
Update: The majority of the Searcy Fire Department fire fighting equipment housed at the central station was saved by members of the department before the building burned down completely Thursday night.A cascade system and a compressor housed in the bay area were left behind, but are believed to be salvagable, according to fire marshal Phil Watkins.
However, all of the department's office equipment, including computers, phones, and the department records were lost in the blaze.
"The central station is a two section, two story building. The fire started on the opposite end of the building towards the back," Watkins said. "As soon as we heard there was a fire we went round and saw flames shooting out of the windows. At that time we got all of the equipment that we could out. The building is a total loss."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation and an insurance estimate as to the cost of the damage has yet to be made, according to Watkins.
