On Tuesday, September 14th, the Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire around 1:00AM at The Landing, a restaurant, lodge, and float site outfitter along the Current River.
Assistance from six different fire departments for man power and water tanks were requested to fight the fire.
The cause is yet to be confirmed, however the fire department has concluded that the fire began in the restaurant section of the structure.
Fire Chief Curt Majors explained that despite the action taken by various departments, the fire spread rapidly because of the structure’s wood composition, and the limited water supply. The blaze eventually consumed the adjoining buildings.
During the time of the fire, multiple rooms were occupied by residents, however all visitors and staff members escaped safely with no reported injuries.
According to The Landing’s Facebook page, phone lines are currently down at the site, and floating and dining operations are ceasing upon further notice for the rest of the year.
On The Landing's website, the business thanked the "first responders who worked through the night, and [were] very thankful that there were no injuries".