Residents with information about Sunday’s destructive building fire at a vacant Emporia apartment complex are urged to reach out to local authorities.
Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor is asking residents for anything that can help the investigation, especially video and photographs.
Residents with documentation or other information can call Emporia Fire at 620-343-4230, Emporia Police at 620-343-4200 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273.
Taylor’s comments came after Emporia Fire decided to investigate Sunday’s fire at the former Hornets Pointe complex, 1325 Merchant, as “incendiary in nature” — meaning arson.
Taylor tells KVOE News the property was returned to the custody of the owners, Lotus Investments LLC of Topeka, late Monday. KVOE News has reached out both Monday and Tuesday to Dr. Sunil Gotru, the company’s listed registered agent, but Gotru has been unavailable for comment or an update.
1:30 pm Tuesday: Injured firefighter’s identity announced as investigation continues
Emporia Fire has confirmed the identity of one firefighter that suffered serious injuries during the blaze at a vacant Emporia apartment complex.
Fire Chief Jack Taylor says Tharon Mott, a firefighter with District 2 Allen-Admire, was initially taken to Newman Regional Health before being transferred to Stormont-Vail in Topeka. A condition report is pending.
A second firefighter was injured as well. That firefighter was taken to Newman Regional, treated and quickly released. That firefighter’s name and department affiliation have not been announced.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mott.
Lotus Investments LLC, a company headquartered in Topeka, purchased 1325 and 1333 Merchant almost exactly a year ago, according to the Lyon County Register of Deeds office. The investment group’s contact person, Dr. Sunil Gotru, a physician with Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, has been unavailable for comment.
The building was reported as vacant and under remodel when the fire developed.
5 am Tuesday: Blaze being investigated as arson
A team of agencies is investigating Sunday’s fire at a vacant Emporia apartment complex, and the blaze is being investigated as intentionally set.
Emporia Fire Marshal Reason Bradford says Emporia Fire has joined with Emporia Police; the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; and Newton Fire Marshal to investigate the fire at the former Hornets Pointe complex at 1325 Merchant. The initial fire took over 10 hours to put down before briefly rekindling.
Two firefighters were hurt after one fell early in the incident. Both were taken to Newman Regional Health for treatment. One was transferred to Stormont-Vail in Topeka with serious injuries.
The building was being renovated, according to Emporia Fire. The complex, along with one immediately north at 1333 Merchant, are both owned by Lotus Investments LLC out of Topeka, according to the Lyon County Register of Deeds office. Dr. Sunil Gotru is the contact but has been unavailable for comment.
Bradford says investigators are currently “identifying and collecting evidence.” Residents with video, photographs or other information are asked to call Emporia Fire at 620-343-4230, Emporia Police at 620-343-4200 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273. Residents using Crime Stoppers for tips can also download the P3Tips mobile app or go online to www.p3tips.com.
Bradford thanked the different Lyon County fire departments called to the scene as mutual aid, including Allen-Admire, Hartford-Neosho Rapids, Miller and Olpe.
KVOE will have updates as the investigation continues.
*Click here for Sunday’s coverage, including photos and videos.
*Click here for Monday’s story.
