ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal Fire Department spent part of Tuesday evening dealing with a fire near the Mid-America Air Museum, according to a release from Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk.
Firefighters were dispatched to the incident shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday.
“At 5:52 p.m. Tuesday, Liberal firefighters were dispatched to 2001 W. 2nd Street for a report of an RV on fire. The first arriving fire unit advised that the fire was actually a fully engulfed structure fire,” Kirk noted. “Fire units arrived to find a well-advanced fire involving two large commercial metal buildings. The fire was immediately threatening a passenger vehicle and bobtail semi unit. Additionally, the radiant heat had affected nearby power lines, starting a grass fire that threatened a third building. Firefighters immediately began operating defensively to protect exposures and establish enough water supply for large scale operations. Firefighting efforts were hampered significantly by partial collapse of the building, limited access points to the interior and arcing power lines in the area. Firefighting efforts included two master streams and multiple handlines. As control was gained, a front-end loader and chains were utilized to remove two large sliding doors that were severely damaged by fire. This allowed for full access to the building and complete extinguishment. The fire was declared under control at 7:09 p.m. and declared out at 8:39 p.m.”
Both buildings, which were attached as one, were a total loss, Kirk noted.
“The loss included all contents of the buildings including an RV stored inside as well as the passenger vehicle outside and immediately adjacent to,” Kirk noted. “Liberal firefighters remained on scene overnight to monitor for flare-ups or rekindle. The cause of the fire will be investigated with assistance requested from the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshal.”
Liberal Fire responded with 24 personnel, two engines and five utility and chief officer vehicles. Other agencies assisting with the fire were the Liberal Police Department, Seward County EMS, Liberal/Seward County Emergency Communications Center, Southern Pioneer Electric Company and Black Hills Energy.
