SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities say a space heater is responsible for starting a fire at that spread to home on Tuesday evening.
Just after 6p.m., crews responded to the report of a structure fire located at 121 SW Sanneman Drive in Topeka, according to Fire Marshall Todd Harrison.
Upon arrival, crews found fire coming from a single-story wood frame shed within the back yard of the property. Initially, fire spread to the adjacent home aided by high winds and vegetation.
The fire was quickly brought under control and a search of the dwelling revealed all occupants escaped unharmed.
Four family pets were located within the dwelling and were safely evacuated by firefighters.
A preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as accidental, more likely than not associated with an unattended space heater; high winds and vegetation were contributing factors to fire spread from the original structure of origin.
The estimated dollar loss of the house – $5600.00; of which $5,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $600.00 associated with contents loss, according to Harrison.
The estimated dollar loss of the shed – $3,500.00; of which $3,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $500.00 associated with contents loss. Working smoke detectors were not located within the structure of fire origin or the home.