City of Rogers Seeks Damages from Marck Industries for Equipment Damaged in October Fire
The City of Rogers, Arkansas, is in the process of seeking damages from Marck Industries following a devastating fire that occurred at one of the company’s recycling plants in October. The fire, which started on October 16, burned for two weeks, causing significant damage to the city’s firefighting equipment.
According to Rogers Fire Chief BJ Hyde, the fire damaged or rendered useless a substantial amount of vital equipment. This includes 14 sets of personal protection equipment, 2,000 feet of fire hose, and 200 gallons of firefighting foam, which are crucial for containing and extinguishing fires.
The city’s attempt to salvage as much equipment as possible proved challenging due to the acrid smoke from the burning materials. Hyde mentioned that the firefighting gear, which is normally durable and long-lasting, was contaminated with the toxic smoke and could not be adequately cleaned.
The city council approved an amendment to the 2024 budget, allowing the fire department to spend more than ,000 on new protective gear and fire hoses. This move was a temporary measure to ensure the department has the necessary tools to respond effectively to future emergencies.
City Attorney John Pesek is now focusing on determining if a claim against Marck Industries is feasible. Pesek highlighted several factors that could justify reimbursement, including the potentially hazardous layout of the recycling yard and the delays in contacting the fire department. He emphasized that the severity and uniqueness of the situation make it worth exploring the possibility of seeking reimbursement from Marck Industries.
The fire involved materials like cardboard, plastic, and aluminum, which contributed to the intense smoke and heat. The fire department reported approximately 1.8 million pounds of cardboard among the burning materials, along with an unknown amount of plastic and aluminum. This toxic mix of materials forced the firefighters to use specialized foam worth ,000 to try and contain the fire.
- Types of Damaged Equipment:
- 14 sets of personal protection equipment
- 2,000 feet of fire hose
- 200 gallons of firefighting foam
- Extent of Damage:
- Firefighting gear contaminated with acrid smoke, rendering it unusable
- Significant portion of fire hoses abandoned due to contamination
- City’s Response:
- City council approved ,227 for new equipment
- Possible reimbursement claim against Marck Industries being explored
- Fire Details:
- Fire started on October 16
- Fire burned for two weeks
< li > < em > Fluid Foam Used:
< ul >
,000 worth of specialized foam was used
< h2 > Marck Industries and the Fire
< p > Marck Industries operates a full-spectrum recycling program, recycling over 80 different materials at its Rogers plant. However, the detailed list of recycled materials is not available on the company’s website. Calls to Marck Industries regarding the materials list and their post-fire actions have gone unanswered .
< p > The Fire Department reported that it tackled hazardous smoke containing toxic fumes from burning plastics and papers, prompting warnings to avoid exposure . Deputy Chief Dusty Qualls noted that people should avoid the smoke under all costs due to its toxicity .
< h2 > City Council Decisions
< p > On December 10 , 2024 , the city council made a unanimous decision to proceed with reimbursable expenses for damaged equipment . This move coincided with discussions around potential future projects including designing safety improvements like roundabouts , especially following earlier tornadoes that left all traffic lights malfunctioning .< / p >
< p > Mayor Greg Hines emphasized roundabouts ‘ safety during disasters , highlighting their functionality even when traffic lights fail . Council member Barney Hayes expressed concerns about high design costs , but Lance Jobe from engineering services explained roundabout designs typically range from 0,000 to build them would cost about million dollars more often needed even better options discussed also< / p >
