Toxic smoke forces decontamination of Dyer firefighting equipment

DYER, Ark. – A local fire department has been hit hard after a dangerous barn fire last Friday. Several Dyer city firefighters were sent to the hospital Friday night after breathing toxic smoke during a barn fire. The last of the firefighters was released from the hospital Wednesday after he and three others had inhaled smoke containing several different chemicals. The firefighters had complained of nausea and trouble breathing.

Tests have indicated the smoke had a toxic amount of lead, but no pesticides. More definite results are expected Tuesday, when a disaster crew comes in to clean or replace the contaminated fire fighting equipment.

The situation has forced the Dyer Fire Department to take many of its vehicles out of service. While emergency officials may never know exactly what was in the smoke, they’re taking the highest level of precaution that they can to make sure no one else gets sick.

Some of the firefighters may be unable to return to work right away. Chief Don Rowe said fire marshals will not be able to go in and determine what caused the fire until the site has been thoroughly decontaminated.