Topeka sees number of fireworks-related fires
Fire destroys home; elderly woman, grandson escape
Originally published 01:00 a.m., July 5, 2008
Updated 01:29 a.m., July 5, 2008
Fireworks kept firefighters racing around Topeka Friday night.
However, investigators have not determined what caused one of the city's biggest Fourth of July fires, which left an elderly lady and her grandson homeless. They are now receiving aid from the American Red Cross.
The two-story home at 633 SE Lake went up in flames at 11:50 p.m. Initially, firefighters believed someone was trapped inside, but that was determined not to be the case, Topeka Fire Department Shift Commander George Rocha said. It took about 40 minutes to get the fire under control.
The house fire caused $18,390 in damage, he said. The house was a rental; The owner is listed as Gloria Tetuan.
The home was located in Engine 3 territory, which was closed July 4. Truck 3, which does not carry water, was the first on the scene. Rocha said it was four minutes later when a water-carrying engine arrived.
"Response time was hampered," he said.
Earlier in the night, an apartment had to be extinguished when fireworks started some brush on fire and that quickly spread to the residence. It occurred shortly after 9 p.m. at 217 SE Lawrence. The vinyl siding near the front entrance melted, but that was about the extent of the damage, Rocha said. No one had to be evacuated and no injuries were reported.
A fire started under a Lincoln Towncar around 9 last night, but the car was saved by fast-acting firefighters and citizens who called the authorities when they saw a fire cracker ignite underneath it.
Topeka firefighters also rolled out to a number of brush and trash can fires, including one that was near a house in the 4400 block of Stoney Brook Lane.
Mission Township firefighters were called out to two fires caused by fireworks around 9. Shingles started a home at 6120 SE Finsbury after part of a firework hit the roof. Neighbors rushed in with a hose to subdue the flames, volunteer firefighter Jeff Stryker said. Only minor damage was reported. A similar incident occurred at 9:45 at 2807 SW Rother Road. The fire was out when firefighter arrived, and minor damage to the roof was reported, he said.
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