Ultimately, there may not be much in the way of actual fire damage at 2230 Prairie Street, one of the Four Seasons Apartments buildings.
However, there is significant smoke damage from the basement to the third floor and about $100,000 worth of damage to apartment units and personal belongings — meaning 16 families may be officially displaced through the weekend or quite a bit longer, depending on when apartment management gives the all-clear. Having said that, though, Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage tells KVOE News the situation could have been much worse.
Fire broke out in 2230 Prairie apartment 2A in the basement around 9:30 am, triggering responses from Emporia, Americus and Olpe firefighters, as well as Emporia Police, Emporia Animal Control and Lyon County Emergency Management. The fire was put out relatively quickly, but not before several residents were briefly trapped on their balconies and evacuated without further incident. The cause is still under investigation.
Two people were checked out for potential medical treatment and declined hospital trips. One cat died and two are unaccounted for as of last word, but Steinlage credited Animal Control Officer Chaney Besack for her work in reuniting pets with their owners.
The Red Cross has been called in to help and it began its assessment process by early afternoon. Area Director Jane Blocker says the process can connect residents to a variety of services, depending on their immediate needs.
Blocker says everybody affected has places to stay for the short term, so the immediate shelter at West Side Baptist was closed by mid-evening. The Red Cross has provided financial assistance to most of families and will continue the process this weekend with families who weren’t at the complex when the fire happened. Other help came in from L&L Pets, which provided pet supplies, and from Newman Regional Health Volunteers, which donated toiletries and comfort items. Emporia State is also offering alternate housing to students that were in the building.
2 pm Friday: Early estimates have as many as 30 residents impacted; all have to stay out of building until further notice
The residents of the Four Seasons Apartments complex building at 2230 Prairie are being told not to go home Friday night, and their returns to their homes this weekend are currently to be determined.
Fire broke out in the basement at 2230 Prairie around 9:30 am, causing significant smoke damage through the three-story building. Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage tells KVOE News:
All on balconies were evacuated without any reported issues.
The fire was put out fairly quickly, but crews had to check for hot spots and also ventilate the entire building.
Two people were checked out for potential medical treatment and declined hospital trips. One cat died and two are unaccounted for as of mid-afternoon.
Residents have been gathering at West Side Baptist Church as a staging location. Area Red Cross Director Jane Blocker says this fire affects a lot of people.
Blocker says the Red Cross assessment process got started by early afternoon. It focuses on immediate needs, including lodging, food, shelter arrangements, spiritual counseling and mental wellness.
Residents interested in donating to the Red Cross specifically for this situation can go online to www.redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS. Residents can also send checks to the Topeka office, 1321 Sothwest Topeka Boulevard, ZIP 66612. Regardless of the method, residents should earmark the funds for the Jan. 20 Emporia fire. The Red Cross says residents should check with Four Seasons management before donating clothing, household items or other supplies — and not to send those items to the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. Emporia, Americus and Olpe firefighters responded, as did Emporia Police and Lyon County Emergency Management.
Eucalyptus owns the complex. KVOE News has reached out to local management for additional information.
11:15 am Friday: All residents accounted for following Four Seasons apartment complex fire at 2230 Prairie
One of the Four Seasons Apartments buildings has been evacuated as Emporia Fire continues investigating a fire from Friday morning.
Emporia, Americus and Olpe fire crews were dispatched to 2230 Prairie shortly after 9:30 am. The fire has been tentatively pinpointed in the basement, with heavy smoke through at least most of the rest of the three-story building. Several residents were briefly trapped on their respective balconies but all were removed safely.
Emporia Fire Battalion Chief Eron Steinlage says all residents have been accounted for after three different sweeps of the building. There is no word yet on how many residents were in their dwellings when the fire started and there is no official word on any injuries. A separate sweep has been underway for pets.
The investigation may last several hours. West Side Baptist Church has opened its doors to affected residents and Lyon County Emergency Communications has reached out to the local Red Cross with a possibility of numerous residents needing emergency services as a result of this incident. Evergy has cut power to the building, affecting almost 45 customers.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
