Smoke alarms alert blind resident of smoldering fire

Posted: September 27, 2019 - 9:16 a.m.

Shawnee Fire Department's Battalion Chief SUV and Engine 71
 on the scene of Thursday evening's fire.
Photos ©Mike Frizzell - Operation 100 News

The Shawnee Fire Department says smoke alarms alerted a blind resident of a smoldering fire next to a water heater on Thursday evening.

Firefighters from Shawnee and Overland Park were called to the home at 10831 West 76th Street just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

"Fire crews found a smoldering fire next to the water heater for the home and quickly extinguished the fire," said Shawnee Fire Marshal Corey Sands. "It appeared that combustible items were stored next to the water heater."

The resident safely exited the home before firefighters arrived. Firefighters located two cats and were able to get them out of the house, and into a neighbor's garage.

No injuries were reported and damage is estimated at $1,500.

A Shawnee firefighter stands in the doorway awaiting equipment
as Overland Park firefighters extend a hose line to the front door.

Firefighters from Shawnee's Engine 71 get their air bottles replaced in the front yard.

Fire apparatus lined the street as their crews went to work extinguishing the fire.
A full-alarm house fire in Johnson County consists of
five fire apparatus, two Battalion Chiefs, and a Med-Act ambulance

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VIDEO: Smoke alarms alert sleeping resident to house fire

Posted: May 4, 2013 - 4:35am
Updated: May 4, 2013 - 5:17am

Overland Park firefighters say smoke alarms alerted a sleeping resident to a fire this morning.

Firefighters were called to 11428 W. 106th Street just after 2:50, Tuesday morning on reports of a house fire.

Video courtesy: Overland Park Fire Department

Crews arrived to find smoke visible from the soffits of the two story home. Police officers also reported a small fire on the back porch. Firefighters went to work fighting an attic fire.

The resident of the home was outside when firefighters arrived. "I woke up to the sound of my smoke alarms going off" the woman told Overland Park Fire Department's Media Manager Jason Rhodes. The woman says the house was filled with smoke and she saw fire near the back of the house, got out and called 9-1-1.

Firefighters from the Lenexa Fire Department assisted the Overland Park Fire Department and brought the fire under control in just about 30 minutes.

The home has fire damage to the attic and significant smoke damage throughout. Investigators are looking at an exterior light fixture as a possible cause, the exact cause remains under investigation.

No injuries were reported.

Overland Park Fire says this event is again proof that working smoke alarms save lives.

Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

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Daylight Savings Time ends early Sunday

Posted: November 3, 2012 - 1:40pm
Updated: November 3, 2012 -5:02pm

The Overland Park Fire Department is reminding everyone that as they change their clocks back an hour, as daylight savings time ends, it is also a good time to replace your smoke alarm batteries.

Officials say that you should check your smoke alarms monthly, change the batteries twice a year and completely replace your alarms every 10 years, according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Information provided by the Overland Park Fire Department. More information on fire prevention and safety tips can be found here.