Liberal Firefighters Respond to Residential Fire

At 11:39 am Thursday the Liberal Fire Department was dispatched to 721 Griffith Ave. for fire alarm activation at Seymour Rogers Middle School. While responding to the alarm a second call was dispatched to 2520 Zinnia Lane for a report of flames visible from the backside of the residence. One engine was diverted from the first alarm to the second. The first units to arrive on Zinnia were a Seward County Fire unit returning from a vehicle accident on North Hwy 83 and Liberal Police officers. They found a contents fire on the back porch of the residence and were able to knock down the fire with a portable extinguisher while alerting the lone occupant of the home to the fire.

As the remaining responders arrived on scene they moved and extinguished the smoldering materials from the porch area. The residence was checked with thermal imaging cameras for fire extension into the home. The fire damage was mainly contained to the porch and only light smoke was ventilated from the home with fans. No injuries were reported by the occupant or responders. The cause of the fire was determined to be a hot plate that was left on unattended after being used earlier.

Liberal Fire responded with a total of 16 personnel and two engines. Also assisting at the scene were the Liberal Police Department, Seward County Fire & Rescue, Seward County EMS and Black Hills Energy.