PRESS RELEASE

Today, at approximately 9:30 a.m. Hempstead County Deputies, Fulton First Responders, and Pafford EMS were dispatched to 161 Mallard Drive in McNab, Arkansas to a reported explosion with injuries.

Deputies arrived to find two males suffering from what appeared to be severe burns. Pafford EMS and first responders rendered aid until Life Net Helicopter arrived to transport one of the injured to LSU Shreveport. That person has been identified as Roger Elmer Jr. of Hope. The other injured person identified as Nathan Cochran of Hope was transported by Pafford ground ambulance to St. Michael's in Texarkana.

The two men were working on a cabin, painting a small room, although it is still to be determined it appears that fumes from the paint were ignited by a work light in the room.

James A. Singleton, Sheriff