No one was injured in a Friday afternoon house fire the caused extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the Carol and Gordon Stull residence. The residence is on NE 10th Street between NE 40th Ave. and NE 50th Ave.
A possible propane leak is the suspected cause of the fire, said Township 12 Fire Chief Mark McManaman.
Carol had placed a candle on the concrete floor in the laundry room in the garage and stepped out for a moment when she heard a whoosh. She returned immediately and discovered the fire.
Because of the sound, the rapid spread of the fire and difficulty the firefighters had in getting the fire in the dryer to stay out, a propane leak is suspected, McManaman said.
Benton Stull was taking a nap in his room that is above the garage when he heard his mother call for help. Benton tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher from the garage and then got another extinguisher from the house but the fire was too big. Benton went for another extinguisher from a camper trailer but the fire was out of control and he didn’t try to use it, Benton said.
Carol and Benton got the dogs and cleared out of the house. Two vehicles parked in front of the garage were moved away from the garage. Gordon had been to Medicine Lodge and had just arrived at his office when he got the call.
Carol had called 911 immediately when she discovered the fire around 3:20 p.m. By the time the first firefighters arrived the garage was totally engulfed in flames and burning into the main house. At least 14 fire trucks, including the Pratt County Emergency Services ladder truck responded to the scene. Firefighters focused on the garage fire attacking it from several sides to get it under control. It took some time to get the fire knocked down because it had a big start before fire trucks could respond.
As firefighters worked the fire there were explosions coming from the garage from exploding paint cans and ammunition, Benton said.
Thick, dark smoke poured out of roof vents on the main portion of the house. The firefighters attacked the fire from the ground, from ladders and from above with the water gun on the ladder truck.
The firefighters had the fire knocked down but not out when they ran out of water and had to wait for trucks to drive to a hydrant in Pratt, fill up and return. Keeping the trucks supplied with water was the biggest problem at the fire, said Township 12 Fire Chief Mark McManaman.
McManaman coordinated the firefighting crews. Pumper trucks fed the tanker truck that fed several lines at once.
The additional ground ladders on the ladder truck were a big help, McManaman said.
It took over three hours to get the fire out, search for hotspots and clear out smoldering debris from what was left of the garage that was totally gutted including Benton’s room.
The fire flared up again in the garage roof just before 6 a.m. Saturday morning and firefighters were on the scene for about 30 minutes putting out that small hot spot, McManaman said.
The garage was totally gutted, the west end of the main house had serious fire damage, the rest of the house had various levels of smoke and water damage.
Thick, dark smoke could be seen for miles. Neighbors brought water tanks, offered clothes, furniture and moral support for the family.
Gordon said he had contacted his insurance agent and would have to talk to him to determine the amount of the loss.
About 50 firefighters responded to the call including firefighters from Township 12, Preston, Iuka, Kingman County units, City of Pratt, Pratt County Emergency Services.
The Cannonball Chapter of the American Red Cross provided water, sports drinks and snacks.
Pratt, Kan. —
