At 5:02 pm Tuesday Liberal fire units were dispatched to 532 Arlington Lane for a reported fire in the back yard. As fire units were responding, multiple 911 callers were reporting additional information of a shed or sheds on fire and rapid spread to a residence.
First arriving fire & law enforcement personnel found a well advanced, wind driven fire involving a residence, two sheds, a fence and two power poles. Firefighters were also advised that all occupants of the home had safely evacuated.
Firefighters initially made entry to open ceilings and extinguish the fire that had spread into the attic space. Simultaneously hose lines were operated in the rear of the residence to extinguish the involved sheds and multiple exposures. Firefighting efforts were complicated by high winds and live power lines down in the rear & alley. After a time, the roof on the northeast corner of the house collapsed and vented the fire. At this point the winds drove the fire inward making it necessary for interior fire crews to evacuate. Only after fighting the fire from elevated positions on ladders and fully extinguishing all fire in the rear, were firefighters able to re-enter the home and complete extinguishment of the fire. The fire was declared under control after approximately 90 minutes.
The residence suffered extensive fire smoke & water damage and is uninhabitable. All occupants were able to safely evacuate. Firefighters were able to locate and rescue two dogs, however four puppies and a pet bird perished in the fire. The fire is believed to have originated in a storage shed outside the residence. The exact ignition source has not been determined. All units were clear of the scene and returned to service at 9:02 pm.
Liberal Fire responded with twenty-two personnel, two engines & four support / chief officer vehicles. Other agencies assisting with the fire are the Liberal Police Department, Southern Pioneer Electric, Black Hills Energy, Liberal Water & Building Departments and the Liberal / Seward County Emergency Communications Center.
