Thursday fire handled quickly

Bourbon County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Feagins shines his light toward Fort Scott Fire Department firefighters who responded to a structure fire at 1702 E. Wall St. Thursday evening. The fire was contained quickly and there were no injuries. (Tammy Helm/Tribune)

Firefighters with the Fort Scott Fire Department quelled a house fire that caused only minor damage to a Wall Street residence Thursday night.

Fort Scott Fire Department Chief Paul Ballou said the fire department responded just before 9 p.m. Thursday to 1702 E. Wall St., following a report of a structure fire. The fire was contained to an enclosed back porch area that was apparently used for storage, Ballou said.

Ballou said the local department is investigating the cause of the fire, which is currently undetermined.

"We have no idea on the cause of the fire," he said. "I have some guys looking at it. It wasn't a seriously damaging fire. It caused some damage to the house, but it was pretty minor."

A couple of neighbors who the Tribune talked to at the scene said they heard what sounded like fireworks or gunshots inside the house and when they went outside their houses they saw smoke blowing over the street to the north.

Ballou said after an initial investigation, emergency personnel found some fireworks inside the house on the back porch that had apparently gone off. Ballou said he was not sure if the fire was caused by the ignition of the fireworks. Investigators believe it may have been caused by a different source and the fireworks went off as a result of the fire.

"I don't think it was firework-related," he said, adding fire investigators were looking at extension cords and wiring on the back porch that may have caused the fire. "There was quite a bit of smoke."

Ballou said he later talked to people who live several blocks away from the house who said they could smell the smoke from the fireworks.

Two of the home's residents were home at the time of the fire and Ballou said one of the residents called in the fire after being alerted by the sound of the fireworks igniting. There were no serious injuries during the incident. Ballou said one of the home's residents was checked out by personnel after sustaining a minor cut trying to corral the family dog that had been spooked by the fire.

The FSFD responded to the fire with two trucks and four personnel, and Ballou said he also responded with a unit. The Fort Scott Police Department, Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and Mercy EMS also responded to the scene.

Ballou said it only took about 10 minutes for firefighters to extinguish the fire.

"There was minor damage in the porch area," he said. "One window popped due to fire. It burned a shelf off. I think there was more content damage than anything."

The damage that was done looks to be repairable, Ballou said.

"The power is back on at the residence and I think more than likely today (Friday) the residents are back in the house," he said.