Robert A. Cronkleton
The Kansas City Star
(TNS)
Rescuers dragged four people to safety after they were injured when a fire swept through an outbuilding in rural Johnson County as fireworks actively exploded, according to a post on the Northwest Consolidated Fire District’s Facebook page.
All four patients were taken to hospitals by Johnson County Med-Act. Two people had serious injuries, according to the fire department, which serves De Soto and Northwest Johnson County.
Firefighters responded to the blaze about 10:15 p.m. Saturday near West 127th Street and South Gardner Road in the Lexington Township, south of De Soto.
The first firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and reported that a detached building was on fire and that fireworks were actively exploding, according to a news release from the fire department. They also reported that there were victims lying on the ground.
Firefighters along with members of the Johnson County Med-Act, Johnson County Park Police and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office dragged the victims to safety and provided aid.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze. The building, however was a total loss. The Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office were assisting with the investigation into the fire.
“As a reminder, possessing and using fireworks in unincorporated Johnson County is prohibited except for permitted public displays,” the fire department said in the news release.
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