Woman Dies In House Fire

LOWELL -- A woman died early Saturday morning in a house fire on Pleasure Heights Road, according to Marc Trollinger.

Trollinger, the fire marshal for Benton County, said a 3:41 a.m. telephone call was received concerning a house fire in the Hickory Creek area. The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. at 12784 Pleasure Heights Road, said Keshia Guyll, Benton County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.

The woman's husband was able to escape and was attempting to help his wife but was unsuccessful due to heat and smoke, according to a county news release. Firefighters found Carolyn Smallwood, 74, inside the home.

The man reported he was awakened by smoke and saw a wall of flames near the utility room, according to Trollinger.

Trollinger said the man attempted to rescue his wife, but could not and had to leave the burning structure.

The man then attempted to use a ladder to get back in the residence from the outside, but that attempt also failed because of the flames, Trollinger said.

Trollinger said the man was being assisted by the Red Cross.

The coroner came to the scene and retrieved Smallwood's body, which will be sent for an autopsy to the Arkansas Crime Laboratory. Hickory Creek, Nob Hill, Lowell and Springdale fire departments assisted with the fire.

The house was engulfed by flames when firefighters arrived, but they also had to combat another obstacle.

"The place was like a fortress and they had to force entry," Trollinger said.

Firefighters had to use bolt cutters to cut away portions of an 8-foot fence to get to areas, Trollinger said.

Trollinger said firefighters were notified early on a victim was still inside the burning residence.

A downed power line also caused problems for firefighters, Trollinger said. The line fell on an aluminum truck and energized it so firefighters had to stay away from that area until the electricity could be cut off, Trollinger said.

Trollinger said it took several thousands of gallons of water to fight the fire. The fire was out about 7 a.m., Trollinger said.

"It was an intense fire," Trollinger said.

Trollinger said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Some dogs were still in cages Saturday morning near the burned house. Smoke was still floating up from the structure.

Trollinger said he saw several dogs, a coyote and wolf in cages around the house.

No animals were injured or killed in the fire, Trollinger said.

"The man said he opened some cages near the house in order to release the animals," Trollinger said.

Trollinger said a sheriff's detective was going to speak with the man about the care of the animals.

NW News on 09/14/2014

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