The weekend began with a house fire at 1026 Highland Park Drive on Friday afternoon. Camden Firefighters responded to heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence.
All occupants exited the house, and everyone was safe, but one dog perished in the fire, according to the fire department's report.
Firefighters entered through the front door to initially put out the flames. However, the attic became engulfed, making firefighters leave the house as the roof collapsed. Firemen attacked the fire from vehicles ladders through gables remaining from the roof.
Eventually, the fire was contained after cutting a hole in the floor to extinguish all flames. The fire started in a hallway at the residence. The cause is still unknown.
On Saturday evening, an abandoned house caught fire off Arkansas 57 in Chidester. No one was inside when firefighters responded and the cause remains undetermined, according to Chidester Fire Chief Jason Purifoy.
Another abandoned structure fire led firefighters of Louann, Elliott and Frenchport to Ouachita County Road 72 late Saturday night. The small fire started in a dilapidated chicken coop, left after a snow storm in 2021. Firefighters had the 12-foot fire damaged section out within 15 minutes, said Frenchport Fire Chief Kyle Wimsett. The fire started from wires left in the chicken coop, but the cause is unknown.