Conditions were already cold and slippery when Emporia Fire was called out to extinguish a house fire in central Emporia early Monday.
Air temperatures were 10 degrees and dropping, with wind chills dipping below zero when crews went to 713 Chestnut shortly before 1:45 am. Fire Capt. Willie Ward says the conditions did fire crews no favors early Monday.
Crews had heavy smoke conditions throughout and out of the house upon arrival. They found the fire in a back, or west, room, after going inside to check for people and pets. Nobody was home, and Ward says the unnamed resident was away as construction has been taking place recently. It is unclear if the recent work had anything to do with the fire.
It took close to two hours to put the fire out along with a series of hot spots. A cause is currently pending.
