SHAWNEE COUNTY—A fire did significant damage to an apartment complex in Topeka on Monday.
Just before 4p.m., fire was discovered within a multi-unit apartment complex at 1609 SW 37th Terrace in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Todd Harrison. The fire started in apartment #1214.
Upon arrival, heavy fire and smoke was showing from the second story balcony. The fire was extinguished but there was significant smoke damage throughout the complex.
All occupants of the fire building were able to self-evacuate without injury. One dog within apartment #1214 died as a result of this incident.
Due to water and smoke damage throughout the complex, coupled with fire alarm system outage, the complex was deemed temporarily uninhabitable.
As a result, approximately 10 families have been temporarily displaced, according to Harrison. The State Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross and property management were onsite to assist the displaced tenants with temporary accommodations.
Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Accidental; Associated with unattended cooking within apartment # 1214
Estimated dollar loss – $160,000; $150,000 is associated with structural loss and $10,000 is associated with content loss.
Working smoke detectors were present within the complex and sounding upon the fire department arrival, according to Harrison.