The exact cause is unknown, however, a pair of of power pole malfunctions led to response by Emporia and area firefighters Sunday.
Emporia fire was first called to 2800 Lakeridge Road for a brush fire just after 10:30 am. According to Battalion Chief Tony Fuller, a squirrel on a nearby power pole led to a 10 foot by 10 foot patch of grass catching fire.
Crews had the flames out quickly after arriving and cleared the scene within 20 minutes. Just after 5 pm, Emporia and Olpe fire crews would be called to the 1500 of Kansas Highway 99 for a second brush fire.
Fuller says the cause was also due to a power pole malfunction, however, further details are not available. Another small patch of grass was scorched as a result, however, no injuries or structural damage was reported with either incident.
Firefighters also responded to a pair of small grass fires on Interstate 35 near the Coffey County line, including a small out-of-control burn and a separate fire apparently started by sparks from a vehicle.
In addition, Emporia and Americus firefighters responded to an out-of-control burn in the 2200 block of Road K. About 40 acres burned but no damage to buildings was reported.
