ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
The Liberal Fire Department was kept busy Sunday evening with a structure fire near the Liberal Recreation Center.
Emergency personnel were called to the scene shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, according to a release from Liberal Fire Chief Kelly Kirk.
“At 7:08 p.m. Sunday, Liberal firefighters were dispatched to 901 S. Grant Ave. for a confirmed apartment fire with smoke and flames visible,” Kirk noted in the release. “The first arriving units encountered a well-advanced kitchen fire in a second-floor apartment. With the assistance of the Liberal Police Department the remaining five apartments in the fire building were evacuated. Followed immediately by the apartments in the adjoining building at 903 S Grant Ave. Firefighters from the first arriving engine were able to quickly knock down the main body of fire which had taken hold of the kitchen and living room areas. It was then discovered that the fire had burned through the soffit above the broken exterior window and was burning in the common attic space. The building was laddered and the attic fire was controlled before it was able to spread to adjoining units.”
The fire was declared under control at 7:29 p.m., Kirk noted.
“The apartment where the fire originated suffered extensive fire, smoke & water damage. The three apartments immediately beside and below the fire apartment suffered water and smoke damage,” Kirk noted in the release. “The two apartments most distant from the fire suffered only light smoke damage. The residents of all six apartments were displaced due to the fire. The American Red Cross was contacted and they responded to assist the occupants with temporary housing and immediate needs. No injuries were reported by any occupants or responders in this incident. All units cleared the scene and were returned to service at 9:59 p.m. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen on or above the stove and is considered accidental in nature at this time.”
The Liberal Fire Department responded with sixteen personnel, two engines and two officer vehicles. Other agencies assisting at the scene were the Liberal Police Department, Seward County EMS, Liberal Building Department, Liberal/Seward County Communications Center, Black Hills Energy, Southern Pioneer Electric and the American Red Cross.
