Updated: May 16, 2015 - 1:16pm
Updated report:
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| Smoke wafts from the home after firefighters cut off the garage doors Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger Additional photos can be found below this report |
In a news release Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands says both victims died of carbon monoxide toxicity from inhalation of the smoke, and not by the fire.
Investigators determined that the fire started in a family room on the north side of the home and quickly raced across the home.
"The smoke alarms in the home were located and the survivors confirmed that they heard them activate on both the main floor and basement of the home during the early stages of the fire," Sands says in the release.
Sands says a resident on the main floor woke up to what they believed to be smoke from burnt food and turned on the attic fan. The fan, located on the opposite side of the home near the bedrooms, drew smoke and fire across the home and towards the attic fan and bedrooms.
The man who was in the basement of the home was not able to reach the main floor and returned back to the basement in heavy smoke conditions.
Sands says, "the outside basement door and front screen door had locks that required a key from the inside to unlock. None of the survivors could locate a key to unlock the doors due to the smoke and heat."
According to the release, neighbors were able to force open both the front door and basement door, rescuing the two women from the main floor and the man from the basement.
"The open outside basement door created a wind tunnel through the home because of the attic fan upstairs drawing air and accelerated the fire," Sands said. "Medical oxygen was also in use in the family room and caused the fire to grow very rapidly when it was exposed to the fire."
"Our hearts are heavy for the victims and their family during this unimaginable time," Fire Marshal Sands said. "We ask all citizens to check their smoke alarms on a regular basis and ensure that they have clear and accessible exits in case of an emergency."
Original report:
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| Two women and a man are treated by Med-Act after being rescued from inside Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger Additional photos can be found below this report |
A fire in 1989 killed a four-year-old boy of the same family.
Keri Brooks, a neighbor and distant cousin of the family, told my reporting partners at the Shawnee Dispatch that she was just a girl when she saw the house burst into flames in September 1989 and has now relived the experience as an adult.
"It's history repeating itself," Brooks said. "I can't believe how sad it is."
Shawnee's Communications Manager Dan Ferguson has identified the victims as three-year-old, Christian N. Young and his great-uncle, 63-year-old, Ronnie L. Walkup.
Earlier on Thursday officials had said the man was the child's grandfather.
Two women, one in her 60s and another in her 90s were rescued from inside the home while a 33-year-old man was able to escape the house on his own. All three were taken to University of Kansas Hospital to be treated for injuries related to smoke inhalation. None of their injuries were said to involve burns to their skin.
Fire Marshal Sands said that firefighters broke into the house through a bedroom window that was blocked by a bed and it's headboard. Inside the house, Sands said, firefighters found a lot of "clutter" and had difficulty maneuvering inside. Firefighters were able to find the 63-year-old man in a hallway with the three-year-old-boy. Sands said it appeared both were trying to escape towards the front door.
"It's hard for a firefighter to see this," Sands said. "It's heartbreaking for anybody to see. Our hearts are with the family and the victims of this fire."
The house is located near 49th Street between Nieman Road and Quivira Road.
Neighbors said a fire struck this same house in the 1980s, also resulting in the death of a child in the same family. Steve Day, who has lived across the street from the house for 40-years, said that the fire about 30 years ago was mostly contained to the basement, although it too resulted in tragedy.
Thursday morning, Day said he noticed the smoke at 7 a.m. and called 911. Day said that neighbors started going over to the house and knocking at the door to alert the people inside before the flames got out of control.
"It's a sad, sad thing," Day said.
Day said would see the 3-year-old play in the yard often and said the family had lived in the house for many years.
"The kids were so active over there," Day said.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire. Sands said firefighters did locate one fire alarm inside the house and investigators have reported that the family did hear an alarm.
Sands said the Shawnee Fire Department has enlisted the help of the Olathe Fire Department and it's Accelerant K-9 unit. The dogs are able to detect any sign of an incendiary fire that would indicate that this fire was set on purpose. Sands said there has been no evidence to say that is the case. Sands said the department is also using a 3-D imaging camera from the State Fire Marshal that will provide a 3-D digital image of the interior of the house that will allow investigators to better determine the path of the fire.
"We are going to find out what caused this fire and we're going to find out why these people weren't able to escape," Sands said. "We are not going to leave any stone unturned."
Family members have set up a Go Fund Me account to help the family.
Northwest Consolidated Fire District Chief Mike Whim also released a statement following news of the fire in Shawnee. NWCFD covers an area of approximately 70-square miles in northwest Johnson County, including the city of De Soto.
"The heart of every firefighter shares the passion and spirit of what it truly means to be a firefighter. When they are challenged with saving a child and it is unsuccessful, they carry that sorrow as if they failed the very reason they do what "they" do. I know that very feeling due to the same experience in that very house on September 22, 1989. This day will be remembered and this experience will not be forgotten. The names of the victims will always live on in the memories of these excellent firefighters. There is no prosthetic for a broken spirit. I know this fire department and they will come out of this stronger. I love them and all of you reading this. Hug a firefighter, they need it too!"
Nico Roesler of the Shawnee Dispatch contributed to this report.
LISTEN: Audio from 8:10 a.m. media briefing with Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands.
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| Smoke wafts from the house and across Lucille Lane Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Smoke pours from the home's garage Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Overland Park firefighters used a saw to remove the home's garage doors Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Fire personnel in the front yard of the home Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Overland Park Fire's Engine 46 Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Shawnee Fire's Engine 71 Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Overland Park firefighters, one covered in insulation after exiting the front door Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Overland Park and Shawnee firefighters try to catch their breath between shifts inside the home Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Fire trucks and ambulances lined the street Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Firefighters trying to rest after working inside the home Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
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| Shawnee firefighters outside the home Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell photo Click image to view larger |
Operation 100 News was the first media on the scene, and the only media with photos from directly across the street.
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