KS Firefighter Hurt in House Blaze

A Topeka firefighter received treatment at a local hospital for injuries — which weren't considered life-threatening — sustained while battling a blaze Monday in northeast Topeka, said Fire Marshal Michael Martin. The firefighter's name wasn't made public.

Martin said firefighters were called shortly before 2 p.m. to the fire at 1015 N.E. Michigan Ave., where multiple occupants managed to escape unharmed. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the rear laundry room on the house's first story.

Firefighters put out the blaze and contained it to that room, Martin said. The rest of the house sustained significant smoke and water damage.

Damages were estimated at $15,000, including $10,000 to the building and $5,000 to its contents, Martin said.

He said preliminary investigation indicated the fire's cause was undetermined, though it was most likely accidental and associated with the failure and/or malfunction of electrical circuitry.

The house at 1015 N.E. Michigan has belonged since 2000 to Randall Theel, who lives elsewhere, and the property has an appraised value of $66,700, according to the website of the Shawnee County Appraiser's Office.

Martin said other agencies assisting at the scene were the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office, the Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross, Westar Energy, Kansas Gas Service and American Medical Response Ambulance Co.

Working smoke detectors were found in the house, Martin said.

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