At 3:31 am Monday morning, Liberal firefighters were dispatched to 316 S. Calhoun Ave. for a reported fire in an enclosed porch attached to a residence.

The first arriving law enforcement officers reported flames from the roof of the residence. Fire units arrived to find a fire in the porch area at the rear of the residence that had extended into the wall and attic space. All occupants had escaped the residence, but advised that there were four “aggressive” dogs remaining in the home.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and ventilate the residence. The animals were all located unharmed. All three adult occupants of the home were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and subsequently transported by Seward County EMS to SWMC. Firefighters opened the wall and ceiling to expose and extinguish all areas of fire extension into the home. The fire was declared out at 4:07 am.

The residence suffered significant fire and smoke damage. The fire was determined to have started in a trash receptacle on the rear porch. The preliminary cause of the fire is being listed as accidental due to discarded smoking materials.

Liberal Fire responded with eleven personnel, two engines and four utility & chief officer vehicles. Other agencies assisting with the fire are the Liberal Police Department, Seward County EMS, Liberal / Seward County Emergency Communications Center and Black Hills Energy.