Witnesses say there were people inside the car wash before it burst into flames in Arkansas.
On January 18, 2025, at around 7:15 AM, North Little Rock Fire Department crews tackled a blaze at an automated car wash located at 4400 East McCain. You can watch footage of the scene below.
People Reportedly Used Car Wash As Shelter Before It Burned
The first responders from Engine 7, B-Shift encountered heavy smoke and flames upon arrival, initiating an immediate offensive attack.
Despite the car wash appearing closed, it was potentially being used as a shelter just before the fire, according to eyewitnesses talked to by firefighters.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This incident underlines a key belief among firefighters: no building is truly vacant. Any space that can be occupied is considered so until proven otherwise.
All structures, from homes to commercial buildings, are treated as occupied until thoroughly searched. This approach ensures that all possible measures are taken to save lives in seemingly empty buildings.