Little more than the facade remains after a massive fire at Hexpol Compounding in Jonesborough, Arkansas. - Screencapture Via WJHL

Little more than the facade remains after a massive fire at Hexpol Compounding in Jonesborough, Arkansas.

Screencapture Via WJHL

Ranchers in central Arkansas have been warned to keep cattle away from river water after a 30-hour fire at a rubber products plant that began Thursday morning in central Arkansas, local media report.

The Washington County Emergency Management Agency advised all county residents with livestock who have access to Little Limestone Creek to keep their animals away from the water if within a mile of the Hexpol Compounding plant in Jonesborough.

The concern is that runoff from firefighting operations may have entered the creek.

At about 2 a.m., firefighters responded to the plant after an explosion that injured one employee. That person was transported by helicopter to a burn unit.

As of 8:19 a.m. Friday firefighters were still on the scene of the fire. The plant building has been reduced to rubble.

The fire broke out near the center of the plant making it difficult for firefighters to reach, Jonesborough Fire Chief Phi Fritts told WJHL. A heavy fire load of available fuel is feeding the flames.

A tanker shuttle hauled almost 3.5 million gallons of water to the scene, putting a considerable load on local water supply systems.

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