More than 100 Chaffee Crossing buildings destroyed

story by Jared Broyles, with KFSM 5 NEWS

The Fort Smith Fire Marshal and the National Guard are talking to a group of soldiers who may know what started a fire that destroyed the historic Fort Chaffee hospital, more than a hundred other buildings and 90 acres at Chaffee Crossing.

A law enforcement official told KFSM 5 NEWS in this story that the 138th Fires Brigade from the Kentucky National Guard is currently training at Fort Chaffee. He says a group of soldiers congregated at the hospital compound on their off-day. The fire may have started while they were there according to the official.

The fire was under control by noon Thursday. By evening only a few small flames and a smoky haze were visible. Still, firefighters have had to monitor the site to keep it from spreading. Fort Smith Fire Chief Mike Richards says his guys were already behind when they arrived.

"It’s as far away as we can get,” Richards said of the fire’s location in the city limits. “It was about a 9 minute response, and our response in the rest of the city is a 3 little over 3.”

But once on the scene, Fort Smith firefighters did their job and did it well. Working alongside three other departments they were able to keep the fire contained.

"111 buildings burned and over 90 acres,” Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority marketing director Stephanie Malone told 5NEWS.

Backfires were set to prevent flames from spreading to the golf course across the street and an RV park just a few roads away. Malone says the compound was too dilapidated for permanent use however, it did serve a purpose.

"This old facility was used for instance by the Jaycees during Halloween for a haunted trail ride, and then we have various paranormal groups who come out here,” Malone told 5news.

Now, the Redevelopment Authority will be stuck with a costly clean-up tab to remove the asbestos and lead that were once in the buildings. However, Malone admits it will be much less than if the structures were still standing.

Richards reassured residents that there was no threat to public health from the chemicals in the smoke.

"We’ve been very fortunate during the night and during the day today the smoke is blowing away from populated areas and staying on the military reservation,” Richards explained.

Meanwhile, Richards says hot spots will likely continue to burn for days.