Large fire does extensive damage to house near S.W. 33rd and Wanamaker

By Phil Anderson
Topeka Capital Journal – September 12, 2013

A two-alarm blaze early Thursday caused major damage to a home in southwest Topeka but resulted in no apparent injuries.

Topeka fire crews called at 4:35 a.m. to a home at 3340 S.W. Spring Creek Place on a report of a house fire. The location is about a block east of S.W. 33rd and Wanamaker.

First-arriving crews found flames shooting out of the home’s roof.

Topeka Fire Marshal Greg Moody said at the scene that the home’s occupants were able to make it outside on their own before crews arrived.

Moody said firefighters “did a good job knocking down the blaze,” bringing it under control by around 5:20 a.m.

Crews remained on the scene past 6 a.m. to ensure no hot spots flared up.

The cause of the blaze and an estimated dollar loss weren’t immediately available. However, a fire official said the damage was extensive enough that it likely would displace the home’s occupants.

Fire investigators were on the scene and were attempting to determine the cause of the fire.

According to the Shawnee County appraiser’s website, the home is owned by David W. Byers and was valued in 2013 at $401,700.