Topeka Capital Journal – December 23, 2013
Wintry conditions hindered firefighters initially when they responded early Monday to a fire in a detached garage structure in East Topeka, officials said.
Fire Investigator Rusty Vollintine said crews responded about 1:30 a.m. to the fire at 1904 S.E. Lott. When they arrived, they reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage structure.
As they investigated further, firefighters saw the structure’s roof was beginning to collapse.
Firefighters’ initial attempts to obtain a water supply to fight the blaze weren’t successful because the hydrant was frozen, Vollintine said. Crews were able to bring the fire under control with available water carried on their vehicles before obtaining another water supply from a different hydrant.
Crews were able to make a partial entry into the garage to extinguish the fire, Vollintine said.
While Vollintine said the fire’s cause remained undetermined, he said foul play wasn’t suspected. He said it likely began within the garage’s overhead attic spaces.
He estimated the damage at $7,500 to the structure and $2,500 in content loss.
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