Insurance Concerns Delay Cleanup of Arkansas Buildings

Insurance and liability concerns are delaying the cleanup of two collapsed buildings in a small Arkansas town.

The building collapse on May 16 killed 2-year-old girl Alissa Jones and injured her mother. More than seven weeks later, the rubble remains. Alissa’s grandfather, Jimmy Jones Sr. of Morrilton, tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette he wishes the site would be cleaned up soon.

Mayor Stewart Nelson says city officials are “deeply concerned” about the potential for injury from the debris, but he says the owner of the collapsed buildings should pay for the cost of cleanup and liability, not the city.

The owner of the first building that collapsed referred questions to his attorney, Howard Yates, who didn’t return a message left by the newspaper. Yates’ phone rang unanswered early on July 7.