17 caged dogs feared dead in fire
Trapped owners rushed to Wichita hospital
Staff writer
Residents of a Florence home barely escaped a fire that may have killed as many as 17 dogs trapped in kennels.
The fire Friday afternoon destroyed the home at 223 W. 7th St. Fire officials believe the fire started in the kitchen.
Florence officials said they were unaware of the number of dogs in the home.
“We had no idea,” city clerk Dana Gayle said. “My jaw dropped. I never experienced that many in my life.”
According to Gayle, Florence imposes no limit on the number of dogs a resident can have. The dogs do need to be registered, with up-to-date shots and tags, under city ordinance.
Marion County undersheriff, Larry Starkey, also didn’t know about the dogs and said the sheriff’s department was not investigating the home or homeowners.
“This is news to me,” he said.
After fire marshals investigated the home, they determined the fire started in the kitchen but could not determine an exact cause due to the amount of debris.
Don Knak and his daughter, Darla Conklin, were trapped by flames in the rear of the house and were rescued. They were taken by ambulance to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, Wichita.
Neighbors smelled smoke around 3:30 p.m. Friday. Firefighters arrived at 4:17 p.m.
Florence fire chief Joe Box said the residents should be OK.
It took 3½ hours for crews from Florence, Peabody, Marion, and Hillsboro to contain the fire Friday.
Up to 30 responders and 10 fire trucks were outside the home. Box said that response was typical for a structure fire in the county.
“This house has a little more contents in it,” Box said. “So, it makes it a little tougher to get it contained.”
A Hillsboro crew responded with an aerial ladder truck.
“They’ve got a longer reach where we could penetrate in better,” Box said.
Florence firefighters returned to the home around 10:54 a.m. Saturday and spent another 2½ hours containing the fire. They were sent back at 3:59 p.m. and spent 15 minutes containing trees that caught on fire behind the house.
Neighbors said the home hadn’t had running water for the better part of six years.
Overgrowth was cut down in the front and sides of the home so firefighters could better contain the fire. Piles of debris covered the front porch, and more could be seen inside.
As firefighters battled the blaze, the roof collapsed. Flames and charred debris were visible from the street.
Evergy crews cut power to the house.
“It’s a total loss,” Box said.
The 1½-story, 2,471-square-foot, home is listed in appraisal records as having been built in 1920 and was appraised along with the lot at $16,100.