Residential Fire In Liberal

At 4:32 am Thursday morning the Liberal Fire Department responded to a reported residential fire at Ohio St. & Tulane Ave. The fire was discovered by a Seward County Sheriff Deputy returning from a traffic stop on W. 2nd Street Road.

Deputy David Hampton, who is also a volunteer firefighter for the Liberal Fire Department noticed a distinct smoke odor on Western Ave. He followed the odor and after a short search located a small, but rapidly growing fire on a covered patio deck in the rear of the home. Simultaneously, along with first arriving Liberal Police Officers, attempts to extinguish or slow the fire with make shift aids were made, fire units were requested and the occupants of the home were awakened and evacuated. First fire units arrived at 4:38 am to find the fire extinguished with a garden hose. Fire extension beneath the exterior siding was located and extinguished. The fire was declared under controlled in less than 5 minutes. The residence suffered moderate exterior fire damage and no injuries were reported to any of the four occupants.

Fire units cleared the scene at 5:20 am and were back in service at 5:28 am. The fire is believed to be accidental in nature as a result of discarded smoking materials.