Electrical issues caused a fire that damaged three apartment units in central Emporia on Friday.
Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says the fire at 901 Constitution started in a second-floor unit, with firefighters getting the call shortly before 2 pm. The fire also spread to the apartment directly underneath before it was extinguished. Smoke got into another second-floor dwelling.
Nobody was hurt. Residents in units unaffected by the fire were allowed to return to their homes by 5 pm.
5:20 pm Friday: Fire, smoke cause damage to three apartment units in central Emporia on Friday
Emporia Fire made quick work of an apartment fire in central Emporia on Friday.
Fire was noticed in an apartment building at 901 Constitution around 1:50 pm. Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says firefighters noticed the fire in one unit and quickly found the fire had spread to a second unit.
Firefighters were able to get the fire out in the second dwelling in short order. They also found smoke damage to a third unit after beginning the formal investigation.
Traffic was detoured in a one-block radius around the complex for close to three hours before returning to normal. The investigation continues into the cause and origination point.
4:15 pm Friday: Investigation underway into apartment fire
Fire damaged two apartment dwellings in a central Emporia building on Friday.
The fire developed at 901 Constitution shortly before 2 pm. Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says firefighters noticed the fire in one unit and quickly found the fire had spread.
Firefighters were able to get the fire out in the second dwelling in short order.
A cause and origination point are unclear. No injuries were reported. Traffic has been blocked in about a one-block radius since 2 pm.
Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}102320 Fire{/gallery}
