The Hutchinson Fire Department is still investigating a second-alarm house fire at 808 W. 23rd Ave. that occurred late Friday evening.
Heavy damage was sustained to the floor in the front room which collapsed while firefighters attempted to put out the fire.
Two firefighters, Acting Capt. Aaron Walton and Fire Fighter Vincent Quentin, fell through the floor, but managed to put out most of the fire once in the basement.
Walton and Quentin radioed for help and were rescued without incident.
“Everyone kept their composure and did an excellent job,” Fire Chief Kim Forbes said Friday evening. “It could have been a lot worse.”
Forbes said the training his department undergoes prevented the situation from escalating.
Walton and Quentin were treated by Reno County EMTs on the scene and later transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. One was treated for neck pain and the other was seen for a hand injury. Both have been released from the hospital.
In total five engine companies and two truck companies responded to the call Forbes said.
The fire was put out in less than 20 minutes.
Damage is estimated at $40,000 according to a release from the department. Moderate heat and smoke damage were done throughout the residence.
Officials indicated the fire appears to have started underneath the floor near a double box fireplace in the residence. The residence was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The owners called in the fire in as they arrived back at the residence about 10:30 p.m.
This was the seventh major structure fire in less than two weeks and ninth total since Dec. 18. There have been two second-alarm fires during this time span. Ineeda Cleaners on Dec. 18 was the other second-alarm fire. All have been unrelated.
Forbes said it is typical to see a rise in the number of fire calls during the winter. What makes this outbreak of fires so unusual is the number of serious structure fires to businesses and occupied homes in combination with the mild weather.
Three businesses – Ineeda Cleaners, The Buggy Shop and Sunset Motel – have had structure fires during this time, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to the businesses. Three house fires occurred on Christmas Eve in occupied homes. An 8-year-old boy died Dec. 26. as the result of one.
Officials have urged citizens to be mindful of how they stay warm this winter.
Furnaces, fireplaces, space heaters and extension cords should be monitored when in use, Forbes said. He also said proper disposal of ashes is key to preventing flare-ups. Ashes should be disposed in a metal container and wetted properly before being left unattended.
Officials also stress the importance of having working smoke detectors.
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