Family safe; home gone

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

— “I woke up to thick smoke and could barely breath. I woke up the kids and got them out,” Randy Moncibaiz said as he watched firefighters spray water and foam on the home from which he had just escaped.

The 1,300-square foot, three-bedroom residence was destroyed Friday morning.

Moncibaiz was staying in the home of Ken and Rosa Jordan, along with his parents, Speedy and Debbie, the Jordan’s daughter, Amy, and her children, Allie Holle, 9, and D.J. Halle, 8.

Firefighters said there were flames showing on the west end of the structure at 10289 East Arkansas Highway 72 when they arrived.

Pea Ridge Fire Capt. Josh King said there was a lack of water at the site, but firefighters set up a dump tankwhich was filled from the tankers.

A class A foam is used as a wetting agent with the water which breaks down the surface of the water and allows it to penetrate the fuel, King said.

Benton County FireMarshal Will Hanna said it appears the cause was electrical, but was as yet undetermined.

Firefighters from Pea Ridge, Avoca and Little Flock worked for several hours extinguishing the fire.

News, Pages 6 on 08/03/2011