The initial investigation is over after a house fire in central Emporia early Friday morning.
Fire was reported at 918 Neosho at 1 am. Fire Marshal Reason Bradford says there was fire damage to the back porch, kitchen and at least one interior wall, with smoke damage throughout the home.
An official damage estimate is pending. Nobody was hurt in the fire, although several pets died. The house is owned by the Ernest and Mary Clerico Trust.
Bradford says people need to be careful with smoking materials and grills.
Bradford also says residents need to be cautious when using smoking materials around mulch because mulch can dry out much faster than other wood products.
7:10 am Friday: Early-morning fire damages home in central Emporia
Fire damaged a central Emporia home early Friday morning.
Fire was reported at 918 Neosho at 1 am. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Ryan Conley tells KVOE News firefighters found the back of the house was fully involved in flames when they arrived.
Initial fears of two people inside the house were unfounded. Conley says firefighters went inside the house and searched, and it was later determined through that search and on-site interviews the people thought to be inside the house were actually elsewhere when the fire developed.
The cause and origination point are currently under investigation. A damage estimate is pending.
We’ll have updates on KVOE and KVOE.com.
