TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department Responded to a structure fire located at 1112 SW Woodward Ave., Topeka Kansas at 11:45 AM on Sunday April 1, 2017. Upon arrival, fire crews found the two story wood framed residential structure with smoke showing from the second story. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack, keeping it confined to the structure of fire origin. Five occupants were out of the structure when firefighters arrived. A primary search of the structure revealed there were no other occupants.
A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to determine the origin and cause for the fire. The following is a brief summary;
- Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with a juvenile playing with a lighter.
- Estimated dollar loss – $12,000.00 (Twelve Thousand Dollars); $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) structural loss and $2,000.00 (Two Thousand Dollars) contents loss.
- The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, One (1) Truck Company, One (1) Aerial Ladder Company, One (1) Battalion Chief, One (1) Shift Commander and an Investigator.
- Assisting agencies at this incident included the Topeka Police Department, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
- No working smoke detectors were located within the structure.