Children and babysitter escape Friday afternoon house fire

Posted: December 21, 2018 - 6:37 p.m.

Photo credit: City of Shawnee, KS Government

Shawnee fire officials say three children and their babysitter escaped a house fire near Blackfish Parkway and Pflumm Road on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters from Shawnee, Lenexa, and Overland Park were dispatched to the home at 13402 West 74th Street at 2:40 p.m.

Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands says one of the children, a 14-year-old boy, heard what he described as a "crackling" sound. The boy looked out a window and saw that the roof was on fire and quickly alerted the babysitter.

The babysitter and all three children, ages four, six, and 14, got out of the house and called 911.

Firefighters arrived and quickly knocked down the fire on the home's wood shake roof.

Fire investigators determined that the fire was sparked by a section of Christmas lights which had arced against the metal guttering, starting a fire involving leaves in the gutters. The fire then extended to the home's wood shake roof.

Photo credit: City of Shawnee, KS Government

"Fires that involve wood shake shingle roofs move very quickly," Fire Marshal Sands said. "The residents quick call to 911 and the fire crews quick stop to this fire saved this home.”

Firefighters also rescued the family's Christmas tree and presents.

No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated at $40,000. Sands says the family will be working with their insurance company.

Media notification available

All comments are moderated. Inappropriate and/or abusive comments will not be published. More information.