A shelter-in-place order was issued to residents in Rogers, Arkansas, on Wednesday after a massive fire started at Marck Industries, Inc., sending a plume of “toxic smoke” into the sky.
A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, by Raws Alerts shows the huge fire and massive plume of smoke at Marck Industries, which is a recycling center in Rogers.
“A shelter-in-place order has been issued as multiple fire departments, hazmat teams, and emergency crews respond to a massive 3-alarm fire in Rogers, Arkansas,” Raws Alerts tweeted. “The fire is at Marck Industries, Inc., a recycling center located across the street from Carter Field Rogers Airport. Heavy, thick toxic smoke is visible from over 20 miles away.”
The Rogers Fire Department released a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, informing residents that the department was “on the scene of a large fire” and that firefighters were “working diligently to get the situation under control.”
The Rogers Fire Department also issued a public safety alert on Wednesday, saying, “Hazardous Smoke Warning. Large fire on the NE side of Rogers.” The Rogers Fire Department recommended that elderly individuals, children, and individuals with respiratory problems should “seek shelter and shelter in place.”
According to KNWA, Wednesday’s fire at Marck Industries was later upgraded to a four-alarm fire. The outlet noted that while the Rogers Fire Department indicated that the fire had been contained to a manageable area, officials expected the fire to continue burning for a couple days.
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In an update shared at 7:20 p.m., the Rogers Fire Department said, “Crews are still on scene and working tirelessly along side members of departments from all across the area. We continue to urge people, especially those susceptible to respiratory problems, to stay indoors with their windows and doors closed.”
The Rogers Fire Department shared another update at 9:45 p.m., explaining that after almost seven hours of fighting the massive fire, the department was able to release “most” of its mutual aid partners since the fire was finally contained. However, the department noted that multiple Rogers Fire Department crews would remain at the location of the fire overnight.
According to KNWA, officials have indicated that all of the recycling plant employees have been accounted for and that one individual was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury. The fire currently remains under investigation.
