Olathe 4-Alarm building fire

Posted: September 29, 2011 - 9:27am
Updated: September 30, 2011 - 9:42pm

Olathe Fire investigators say "electrical issues" were responsible for the four alarm blaze Thursday morning. Investigators also confirm that one person was treated for minor smoke inhalation, no other injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $350,000.

Fire crews from Olathe, Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee, Leawood and Johnson County District #2 all battled a fire at an Olathe Days Inn, 211 N Rawhide Drive. Johnson County Med-Act also had several units involved on the call along with Olathe Police. One Lenexa Police officer was also involved in the opening minutes of the fire assisting with evacuations, as that officer reported seeing the smoke from Interstate 35.

Dispatchers tell Operation 100 News they received more than 5 emergency calls regarding the fire. Crews approaching the scene advised that heavy smoke was visible.

A second alarm was ordered almost immediately as crews arrived on the scene just before 9:20 a.m. Approximately 10 a.m. the fire had a Third Alarm response added to the incident a Fourth Alarm was added at 10:20 a.m. Incident Command declared the fire to be Under Control at 10:41 a.m. and then declared the fire to be out at 10:47 a.m.

The Salvation Army responded to the scene to assist in hydrating/feeding firefighters and displaced residents.

A caller on the scene tells me, a hotel employee was treated by a Johnson County Med-Act unit and it appeared to be related to smoke inhalation or possibly an asthma attack. That injury was described as minor and no one has been transported from the scene.

Fire crews searched room to room confirming that all occupants were out. Flames did make their way through the roof at one point. Crews were able to contain the fire at a fire wall and were chasing the fire through several pipe runs and below bathtubs in interior walls of the building.

A source familiar with the incident tells me by phone that approximately 23 of the buildings 64 rooms were occupied last night. Numerous people were evacuated by Police and Fire crews as they were arriving at the scene.

Operation 100 News was the first to break this story to followers on Twitter. 15 minutes before any mention by any other area media.

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest information as it becomes available.

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