In the recent days the Hoxie Fire Department has responded three times to the area of Hwy 91 and Hwy 230 after bales of Miscanthus Giganteus have been set ablaze including Tuesday night. The fires started the night of June 13th when Hoxie, Alicia, Walnut Ridge, Bono and Sedgwick all responded to a very large blaze consuming tens of thousands of dollars of the crop. Since then the departments have been called to the same area twice as remaining bales were set on fire.
In a phone conversation with Hoxie Chief Chris Ditto today he advised us that the department is sure this is the work of an arsonist. Ditto stated that most recent fire appeared to be started in an area unrelated to the other fires. Last nights fire included the Hoxie Fire Department, Sedgwick Fire Department, Alicia Fire Department, Bono Fire Department and the Arkansas Forestry.
The bales of Miscanthus Giganteus is grown as a type of bio-fuel and takes years to develop, last nights fire was described as a 1/4 mile of flames coming from the material. Chief Ditto stated that the Hoxie Fire Department and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office are both investigating the fires. Ditto went on to say that the public could play a crucial role in solving this crime. If anyone has seen any suspicious persons or vehicles in this area they are urged to contact either the Hoxie Fire Department at 870-886-5722 or the Lawrence Couty Sheriff’s Office at 870-886-2525.
We would like to thank Kris Wells with the Arkansas Forestry for the use of his photo.