State, local law officials investigating fatality at fire

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo Authorities are not saying much about a structure fire and fatality that occurred Wednesday afternoon at this house at 688 240th Street. Area fire and law enforcement personnel responded to the incident, which is being investigated with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office.

Authorities are not releasing much information about a house fire and fatality that occurred Wednesday afternoon in rural Bourbon County.

At 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Scott Township Rural Fire and Garland Rural Fire departments were dispatched to 688 240th Street following a report of a structure fire. The Bourbon County Sheriff's Department responded as well, a news release from the sheriff's office said.

After arriving at the location at about 3:39 p.m., a sheriff's deputy discovered a fatality near the scene. The deputy was in the area when a page went out to firefighters that there was a structure fire. The deputy arrived on the scene at 3:39 p.m. and reported that the fire involved a fatality, according to Gray.

The fire was extinguished and the area was secured by the sheriff's office. Authorities still working at the scene Thursday afternoon had secured the area, including 240th Street leading up to the house, with caution tape.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office were contacted and a request was made for assistance. The incident is under investigation at this time, the release said.

Bourbon County Sheriff Ronald Gray would not confirm or deny any rumors that more than one person died in the blaze.

"We're just starting our investigation and we want to do the best we can do, which is why I called in the other agencies," Gray said. "It's sad and it's a tragedy. That's why we're doing due diligence and doing all we can on our side," Gray said.

Officials said the fire occurred in the jurisdiction of the Garland Rural Fire Department. Phone calls made to Garland Rural Fire Department Chief Carl Cotton were not returned as of press time.

Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou Thursday said his department was called to the scene to assist with water. Ballou said he was informed by law officials Thursday that information related to the incident, including what fire departments responded and the time of their response, would not be released until the investigation was complete.