An out-of-control brush fire resulted in the death of a Baxter County man Monday evening. The body of 79-year-old John Heenan was located in the area of Peace Valley Lane.
Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery says his office was notified just before 10 the Midway Volunteer Fire Department had located a body while combating the fire. A firefighter stated he found the body, later identified as Heenan, while walking in the area. Heenan is believed to be the property owner.
Heenan was reportedly found nearly 120 feet from where his pickup truck was parked. Evidence indicates he had succumbed to the fire, and a portion of his vehicle also had fire damage.
Sheriff’s investigators and the Baxter County Coroner’s Officer were called to the scene, and Heenan’s death is believed to be accidental. His body is being sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office in Little Rock for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death.
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