Fire and smoke caused heavy damage to a home in central Emporia starting late Monday night.
Emporia Fire Capt. Greg Davis says the fire at 826 Rural was reported shortly before midnight.
While firefighters got an initial knockdown fairly quickly, Davis says there was an extended time looking for hot spots. Early indications are the fire was mainly on the house exterior.
Improper use of a portable propane generator has been determined as the cause. The origination point has not been addressed.
Davis says a gas line was leaking and hissing near the back side of the house, so firefighters had to take extra care during their work on scene. Kansas Gas got the line in question isolated shortly before 5 am.
There are currently no reports of injuries. The occupant, currently unnamed, was able to get out of the house before firefighters arrived. Four dogs were killed. Franklin Lewis owns the house.
Hartford-Neosho Rapids, Olpe and Reading firefighters responded, as did Evergy, Kansas Gas and Emporia Police.
Click here for KVOE’s YouTube channel, including a YouTube Short from the scene.
