McNeil, Ark. — Authorities said one person has died and a volunteer fire chief suffered smoke inhalation after a house fire in Columbia County.
Sheriff Mike Loe told the Banner-News that the Monday morning fire killed 77-year-old Betty Jean Sanders. Loe said the fire began at about 1 a.m. Monday. He said the flames spread quickly throughout the house, trapping Sanders inside.
Loe said McNeil Rural Volunteer Fire Department Chief Artie Talley was taken to a hospital in Magnolia for smoke inhalation. His condition wasn’t immediately available.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.