ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
A home in south Liberal suffered significant fire, smoke and water damage from a residential fire Friday afternoon.
In a press release, Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk said shortly before 5 p.m. Friday, firefighters were dispatched to 213 W. Curtis Street for a reported house fire with unknown occupants.
“The first arriving fire and law enforcement personnel encountered a two-story residence with heavy smoke issuing from the entire structure,” he said. “Neighbors to the residence advised they believed the home to be vacant.”
Kirk said firefighters made entry and extinguished a significant fire on the first floor.
“As the home was ventilated, it was discovered the fire had spread to both the space between the first and second floors and also to the attic space surrounding the upstairs room,” he said. “As the void spaces were opened, the remaining active fire was extinguished.”
Kirk said the fire was declared under control shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday.
“Due to the extent of the fire, a considerable amount of overhaul was required to find and extinguish the remaining smoldering areas and structural members,” he said.
Kirk said the fire was declared completely out shortly before 6 p.m. Friday, but all fire units and personnel were not returned to service until about 8:15 p.m. He added the residence suffered significant fire, smoke and water damage.
“Fire investigators have determined the probable area of origin,” he said. “However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.”
The Liberal Fire Department responded with 18 personnel, two engines and four utility and chief officer vehicles. Other agencies assisting with the fire were the Liberal Police Department, Seward County EMS, the Liberal/Seward County Emergency Communications Center, Black Hills Energy and Southern Pioneer Electric.
