One of Arkansas’ hidden treasures was destroyed on Sunday night, July 30th as storms passed through northern Pope County.
At approximately 11 p.m., dispatchers received a 911 call reporting a structure fire at 16130 SR 16 in Witt Springs located in northern Pope County. The structure involved was a favorite place to many, Hillbilly Slim’s Country Store and Restaurant.
Upon receiving the 911 call, the Hector, Witt Springs, and Appleton Fire Departments were dispatched to respond to the location.
Firefighters checked en route to the call and while they responded, they were advised that a passerby had discovered the structure fire and at the time of the call that it was unknown if anyone was inside the structure. Upon the arrival of Hector and Witt Springs firefighters they found the structure fully involved and learned no one was inside. They then exited their engines and initiated a defensive attack on the fire to begin knocking down the flames that consumed the structure. Just prior to the arrival of the Appleton Fire Department, they were cancelled due to the progress of the blaze.
During the fire fight, firefighters battled the extreme heat produced by the aggressive flames. During the fire there were explosions, as ammo stored inside the structure went off and propane tanks exploded.
Firefighters remained on scene continuing to battle the blaze until the early morning hours on Sunday.
Once the fire was determined to be under control, Hector firefighters were released from the scene and returned to their station. Witt Springs firefighters continued to work to extinguish what remained of the fire.
Following the incident, fire officials determined that the fire was caused by a lightning strike that ignited the fire.
Ultimately, the structure and all its contents were destroyed in the fire.