A rekindle at the site of a lengthy firefighting effort didn’t last nearly as long as the initial incident.
Emporia Fire was called out to 1325 Merchant shortly after 5:30 pm after a rekindle was reported on the south side of the building. Firefighters took about 45 minutes to douse the flames, using a combination of water and foam.
The investigation into the original fire’s cause and origination point is in the early stages. There is no initial timetable on when results may be announced.
5:45 pm Sunday: Rekindle reported at 1325 Merchant
A long day for Emporia firefighters got even longer early Sunday evening.
Emporia Fire and other departments from across Lyon County spent over 10 hours battling a stubborn fire and related hot spots at 1325 Merchant, declaring the scene under control around 2 pm. Shortly after 5:30 pm, a rekindle was reported on the south side of the building.
This comes as the investigation into the fire’s cause and origination point are in the early stages. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
4 pm Sunday: After over 10 hours, fire at 1325 Merchant finally extinguished; Emporia Fire confirms two firefighters to Newman Regional Health for treatment
An investigation is underway into the cause and origination point of Sunday’s destructive building fire at 1325 Merchant in Emporia.
Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage tells KVOE News firefighters were toned out around 4:20 am. It took until close to 2 pm before hot spots were put out to the satisfaction of firefighters on site.
Fire punched through the roof around 5 am. The roof collapsed around 10 am, shortly before firefighters got the main blaze under control and started an extended period of tracking down hot spots.
Steinlage says the building is a total loss, with a damage estimate of $870,000. Emporia Fire is securing the building as it begins the investigation process.
Two firefighters were injured shortly before 6 am after one fell and apparently bumped the other. Both were taken to Newman Regional Health for treatment, one by ambulance and one by private vehicle. Their names and fire department affiliations are not being announced.
With the investigation underway, Steinlage is asking residents to not come to the site to observe the process or see the building.
1:30 pm Sunday: Stubborn hot spots continue at 1325 Merchant
Firefighters continue battling the remnants of a devastating building fire in north-central Emporia.
Firefighters from Emporia and several Lyon County departments have been battling hot spots since around 11 am Sunday at 1325 Merchant, in part because of the destructive nature of the initial fire and in part due to occasionally gusty south winds as high as 40 mph.
The initial fire was reported to Emporia Fire shortly before 4:20 am. The origination point is to be determined, but Fire Chief Jack Taylor says flames were evident in the southwest corner and in an upper story. The fire punched through the roof shortly after 5 am. From there, flames were constantly visible above the roof through 10 am and occasionally visible after that past 11 am. The roof was listed as fully collapsed after 10 am.
Condition updates are still pending for two firefighters hurt shortly before 6 am after one of them fell. The firefighter who fell was taken to Newman Regional Health for treatment. The second firefighter was observed at the scene.
Besides the origination point, the cause is also pending. It is unclear when the investigation can start, given the hot spot situation.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
11:30 am Sunday: Walls still standing, but vacant Emporia apartment complex likely gutted by Sunday’s fire
Firefighters from Emporia and other Lyon County departments have spent over seven hours battling a destructive building fire near Emporia State University on Sunday morning.
Emporia Fire was first alerted to the situation at the one-time Hornets Pointe apartment complex, 1325 Merchant, just before 4:20 am. Fire Chief Jack Taylor says crews initially fought the blaze from inside the building for about 45 minutes before the fire “vented” through the roof.” At that point, firefighters were pulled out and fought a defensive battle from the ground and Emporia Fire’s ladder truck.
Fire was shooting through the roof consistently from before 5:15 am until after 9 am. It took until after 10 am to get the main blaze out, but fire was still going through the roof at times after 11 am. Thankfully, the fire did not spread to neighboring buildings, although southerly winds were as high as 25 mph at times while the fire was active.
One firefighter was taken to Newman Regional Health after a fall shortly before 6 am. The circumstances behind the fall and the firefighter’s name has not been released. A condition report is pending.
Numerous fire departments responded as mutual aid, including Allen-Admire, Americus, Hartford-Neosho Rapids and Olpe.
With the fire still active past 11 am, the investigation into the fire’s cause and origination point had not yet started. The one-time apartment complex was vacant and in the process of being renovated, according to Taylor. The complex had apartments ranging from studio to three-bedroom sizes.
8:30 am Sunday: Fire continues at 1325 Merchant; one firefighter hospitalized
Fire continues to burn through much of a vacant apartment complex near Emporia State University.
Emporia Fire was called to 1325 Merchant shortly before 4:20 am. Within an hour, fire crews from across Lyon County were called to the scene to help.
It’s unclear where the fire started, but fire has been through the roof at least since 5:15 am, causing much of the roof to collapse. The level of structural damage inside the building is to be determined but is believed to be destructive.
Two firefighters were reported hurt shortly before 6 am. One was treated at the scene. The other was taken to Newman Regional Health for observation and treatment. Condition reports on both are pending. Names and fire department affiliation have not been announced.
Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor says the building was being remodeled. With the fire still active, the investigation into cause and origination point has not yet started.
6:15 am Sunday: Fire heavily damages vacant building at Emporia’s 1325 Merchant
Fire has caused serious damage to a vacant apartment complex near Emporia State University.
Fire crews from across Lyon County were called to 1325 Merchant Street after fire was reported. The fire had burned through the roof in several spots, so firefighters used a ladder truck and several ground hoses to attack the fire.
At least two firefighters were reported hurt shortly before 6 am. Their conditions have not been announced.
The cause of the fire is currently not known. Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor says the building was being remodeled.
Street access just west of ESU is currently blocked for the firefighting effort. Merchant and Center are both blocked between 13th and 15th at this time.
The structure fire also comes with a very high grass fire danger across the area, but fire weather watches for Lyon and most surrounding counties have been canceled for Sunday.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates through the day.
