Six fires in two years at businesses along US Hwy. 62, primarily east of Eureka Springs, have led some locals to wonder if there is a connection, and if there is an arsonist, who’s responsible.
The largest and most damaging of the fires destroyed Forest Hills Restaurant in May 2020 inside the city limits. Eureka Springs Fire Marshal James Cowan said that fire was a result of arson, and a teenager was arrested and charged with the crime.
Other fires include those at Mr. Haney’s used furniture and collectibles on US62W, a woodworker shop on US 62E, Rider’s Rest Motel, Jim’s Saloon east of town, and a semi-tractor trailer in the Hart’s Family Center parking lot that was being used to store hay and straw for sale.
Cowan said there is no evidence that any of the fires are related in any way.
“They have been separately investigated,” Cowan said. “There is no strong evidence of a firebug involved in all these fires. Those incidents were set far apart in distance and time.”
The most current fire, on Father’s Day this year, in the Hart’s hay and straw storage semi-trailer is still under investigation.