Early Morning House Fire Kills Four in Kansas

Nov. 26, 2013
Wichita fire officials said two children were killed, and four others were injured.

Nov. 26-- Wichita fire officials are investigating a house fire that killed four people, including two children, early Tuesday morning.

The fire was at a house in the 600 block of North Goebel, fire officials say, which is north of Central and just east of Webb Road.

Fire Marshal Brad Crisp said two adults and two children were killed, and four were injured, including a firefighter. The injuries are minor, he said.

The fire was reported at about 3:14 a.m. After fire crews arrived, they immediately did a search and rescue operation in the structure, Crisp said.

Reyes Ramirez, a neighbor, said he woke up to noise that he thought at first were people fighting. He looked outside and saw flames coming out of the windows of the house next door, he said.

He heard a woman screaming. He called 911 and he said emergency crews arrived quickly.

Ramirez said a girl and a younger boy live next door.

"It's very bad what happened," he said.

The relationship of the seven living in the residence is not known at this time.

A cause has not been determined, Crisp said.

He said he can't remember the last time Wichita had so many deaths in one fire.

He said it was possible the house had smoke alarms but he's not sure they were functioning.

Besides the Wichita Fire Department and police, other agencies that responded included the state fire marshal's office, ATF and Animal Control, which is a standard response.

Another fire, caused by a candle, reported late Monday night on the same street appears to be separate and not related.

Crisp said more information would be available at a media briefing at 10 a.m. today.

Contributing: Julie Mah of The Eagle

Reach Tim Potter at 316-268-6684 or [email protected].

Copyright 2013 - The Wichita Eagle

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