AVOCA — Six area five departments responded to a structure fire which was cordoned off as a crime scene by a Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputy after an investigation raised questions about the origin of the fire.

The trailer home of Allen Mc-Fadden at 717 Smith Ridge Turnoff, Avoca, was damaged when the shed behind it burned and flames spread to the trailer. McFadden, who was sleeping in an Army surplus tent nearby said he was in the process of remodeling the trailer and was staying in the tent.

“I was asleep in the tent; I’d just bought the trailer back ...” McFadden said. “I heard popping sounds and was warming up, couldn’t believe it was getting that hot. Iwondered if it was hailing.”

That was when McFadden looked out of the tent and saw the garage on fire.

His neighbor, Joe Yancey, said he saw the flames and dialed 911.

Fire departments from Avoca, Pea Ridge, Northeast Benton County, Little Flock, Rogers and Beaver Lake assisted in extinguishing the fire, the cause of which is being investigated.

News, Pages 1 on 03/10/2010