The cause and origination point have been announced for Monday night’s devastating building fire in central Emporia.
Battalion Chief Tony Fuller says a meat smoker on the south porch of the main building caused the fire that ultimately destroyed two structures, both used as apartments, at 718 Market. Fuller says having grills or smokers on a porch is unsafe, especially the porch is covered by a roof or awning. He says all outdoor cooking devices should be on the ground.
There is no official word on how many residents were displaced, but none of the occupants were hurt. Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army are offering help to the residents who lost just about everything they had.
The buildings were owned by Richard Duncan. Damage, including a collapsed roof and several interior wall collapses, is estimated at $225,000.
Besides fire departments from Emporia, Allen-Admire, Miller and Reading, Emporia Police, Emporia Public Works, Evergy and Kansas Gas all had crews on scene.
