Liberal Fire Fighters Battle Residential Fire

Liberal firefighters were paged at 1:31 pm Monday to 604 E. 11th St. for a residential structure fire. Initial reports indicated a possible occupant still inside the residence. Fire units arrived on scene at 1:34 pm to find heavy fire in the rear of the residence and all occupants accounted for. The fire was extinguished and was confined mainly to the exterior of the residence with minor damage inside due to a window that had broken when exposed to fire. Three of the family’s dogs were kept in dog houses in the area of the fire’s origin. Two were found unharmed and a third perished in the fire. The fire was declared under control at 1:45 pm. The Liberal Fire Department responded with a total of 19 personnel. Also responding and assisting at the fire were the Liberal Police Department, Seward County EMS and Seward County Sheriff’s Deputy. The cause of the fire is believed to be a heat lamp used to warm the pets during the recent freezing weather. All fire units were back in service at 2:33 pm.