Hello everyone just wanted to help explain the process of what was done at the property and building that was the old Taco Casa.
On march 18 the structure had an electrical fire which totally destroyed the inside of the structure. Since then individuals have been breaking into the building stealing whatever they could get. The owner were worried someone could get hurt in the structure.
They started the process to demolish the building about 2 months ago by contacting ADEQ and asking for a NOI ( notice of intent) the paperwork was submitted and they were issued there permit to demolish the building. They were given the dates between the 7 and the 10 of September to complete the process.
The fire department was contacted and asked if we could do a training exercise! We told them this could be done after an asbestos study was done and the NOI was issued.
The asbestos study came back negative and the NOI was in place. The fire department can and has burnt many old structures in the city limits of Pocahontas for training for the firefighters. I’m going to take just a minute to talk about these firefighters! The Citizens of Pocahontas are extremely lucky to have personal like this group of full time and volunteer firefighters, that will run into a burning building to save someone or there property that they don’t even know. This same group does drowning, auto extraction, body recovery, grain bin rescues and anything else that nobody else wants to do. They are here for you and do these training exercises to keep quicker response times which saves lives and property!
Sorry about that just wanted everyone to know what a dedicated group of people they have that are ready at a seconds notice to come to help each one of you!
As I said the project had to be completed by the 10 of September. The remains will be taken to the landfill in Green County. The fire department conducted the controlled burn Tuesday evening. All the permits and paperwork were onsite as required by ADEQ. We also had verbal permission from County Judge Wicker who issued the burn ban to do this burn. The NOI specifically said it had to be done by the 10th. We had to burn so it would be totally out and cooled off by the 8 so it could be moved to Green County Landfill.
I’m sorry this is so long but it is a lengthy process to get done. Today we had an Inspector from ADEQ come up and look at the site. Because of a complaint! The Fire department had all paperwork and documentation in place! We were told by the inspector that he wished all his complaints were this easy and that as long as he had been with ADEQ we were only the second ones he had investigated that had all there paperwork on sight and completed correctly!
With all this said I apologize for being so long! I felt we needed to help everyone understand it just wasn’t a quick decision to go burn down the building.
Thank you for your time this evening hope this helped everyone understand the process and that your Pocahontas Fire Department would never put the citizens in any kind of danger!
If you ever have any kind of concerns please contact the fire department or my cell phone is (870) 378-1380. Again thank you for your time. Have a great evening!
Scott Baltz
