Lyon County deputies are investigating Thursday’s initial fire at an abandoned house in north Hartford — with some help from the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.
That fire at 200 West Maple was reported around 4:30 am and destroyed everything inside the house while leaving the exterior walls standing. Lyon County Deputy Sgt. Danny Broyles, one of the department’s arson investigators, says the house was uninhabited.
It took over 2.5 hours for firefighters from the Hartford-Neosho Rapids and Olpe departments to put the fire out. Early indications are the fire started in the southwest corner of the house, which is owned by Roger McDiffett of Emporia.
A second fire developed shortly after 7 pm. Deputy Eric Williams says some embers rekindled, so the second fire was not to the level of the first. Hartford-Neosho Rapids firefighters put out the rekindle shortly after arriving on scene.
Residents with information about the two fires are asked to call the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office at 620-341-3205 and ask for Broyles or fellow arson investigator Jody Meyers.
9 pm Thursday: Destructive Hartford house fire rekindles briefly
Hartford-Neosho Rapids firefighters and Lyon County deputies responded to an abandoned house in Hartford twice Thursday for fire activity.
The first fire at 200 West Maple was reported around 4:30 am and took until after 7 am to extinguish. Lyon county Deputy Danny Broyles says firefighters found a single-family residence fully engulfed in flames when they arrived.
The second fire was reported shortly after 7 pm and was initially reported on Mechanic Street before the address was corrected. Lyon County Deputy Eric Williams says some embers rekindled and were put out quickly.
It does not appear the second fire was intentional, but there is some question about the first incident. Deputies have reached out to the Kansas State Fire marshal’s Office for help from an investigator and an accelerant detection K-9 unit.
The residence was vacant according to property owner Roger McDiffett of Emporia. Broyles says McDiffett stated the residence has been vacant the entire time he has owned it and has been deemed “uninhabitable.”
No injuries were reported with either fire.
Hartford-Neosho Rapids firefighters and Lyon County deputies responded to both incidents. Olpe Fire helped to put out the initial fire and was called to the second incident but was canceled shortly after being called for mutual aid.
12:30 pm Thursday: Fire destroys home in Hartford Thursday morning; Investigator from Kansas Fire Marshall’s Office called in to assist with investigation
An abandoned residence has been considered a total loss following an early morning fire in Hartford Thursday.
According to Lyon County Deputy Sgt. Danny Broyles, Lyon County Rural Fire District 5, Olpe Firefighters and Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 200 West Maple in Hartford just before 4:30 am for a structure fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a single-family residence fully engulfed and battled the fire for nearly three hours finally extinguishing the flames just after 7 am.
No injuries were reported as the residence was vacant according to property owner Roger McDiffett, of Emporia. Broyles says McDiffett stated the residence has been vacant the entire time he has owned it and has been deemed “uninhabitable.”
A cause has yet to be determined. The Sheriff’s Office has called in an investigator from the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office with an accelerant detection K9 to assist arson investigators with the case.
Additional details are pending.
KVOE News reporter Tagan Trahoon contributed to this report.
7:30 am Thursday: Fire leaves exterior walls of abandoned Hartford home standing, but little else.
An investigation is underway into a destructive fire in Hartford early Thursday.
Fire was reported in an abandoned house at the intersection of Mechanic and Maple in north Hartford around 4:30 am. The house was confirmed as fully engulfed in flames when firefighters and Lyon County deputies responded to the scene.
It took until after 7 am for firefighters to get the fire out. The fire left the exterior walls standing but gutted everything else inside.
Lyon County deputies are leading the investigation. Hartford-Neosho Rapids and Olpe firefighters were dispatched to help get the fire out.
5:30 am Thursday: House fire underway in Hartford
A fire is underway in north Hartford early Thursday.
Fire crews from several departments and Lyon County deputies responded to the intersection of Mechanic and Maple around 4:30 am. An abandoned house was fully engulfed in flames when authorities arrived on scene.
There is no word on a cause at this time. Lyon County deputies will investigate.
We’ll have details as they come available on KVOE and KVOE.com.
