Fire crews extinguish cooking fire at Hutchinson apartment complex

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Firefighters responded to an apartment fire Saturday afternoon at a commercial structure in the 600 block of West 14th Street, authorities said.

The Hutchinson Fire Department received the call at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 12 reporting smoke visible from the building, according to Battalion Chief Chad Allen.

First-arriving crews found an apartment door covered in soot and confirmed a working fire inside. Firefighters evacuated remaining residents while other crews extinguished the cooking fire.

The blaze scorched adjacent walls and caused heat and smoke damage throughout the apartment, Allen said. Minor smoke damage extended to neighboring units. The affected apartment was unoccupied when crews arrived.

No injuries were reported among emergency workers or residents.

Fire investigators determined the cause was accidental.

The Hutchinson Fire Department thanked Reno County emergency communications, Reno County EMS, Hutchinson Police, Kansas Gas and Evergy for their assistance at the scene.