Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Arsonists Strike In Gurdon Again

Arsonists have been busy in Gurdon recently, as three buildings have been destroyed by fire.

The most recent incident was a storage building at Second and Joslyn. According to Gurdon City Marshal David Childres, this fire occurred around 3 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12.

The shed, belonging to Lillian Shaver, contained a riding lawnmower and was completely destroyed by the blaze.

Firefighters from the Gurdon Fire Department responded in time to save a vacant house next to the shed, as flames jumped from the shed to the house.

The first fires, though, occurred Sunday, Aug. 6, around 1:45 a.m. Again, Joslyn Street was the location, this time at 400 and 402.

The house at 402 Joslyn was occupied, but the residents weren't home at the time of the fire. The other house was vacant.

According to reports, the fire was set in the house at 400 Joslyn and jumped to the residence at 402.

Both houses were completely destroyed by the fires, as the GFD arrived as the house at 400 Joslyn was falling in.

Jake McBride, Gurdon fire chief, said the GFD fought the fires for 2 = hours before getting them under control.

Marshal Childres said these fires were also arson, and the GPD has suspects in the case.

The GPD is working with the Arkansas State Police on these arson cases, with the investigation continuing.