LIBERAL — A Kansas man died in an apartment fire early Tuesday, according to a media release from Liberal Fire Department.

The man was identified as Tekoa Calloway, 37, Liberal.

Officials with the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office and Liberal Fire Department determined the cause of the fire as unattended cooking.

Fire crews were called just before 2:30 a.m. after smoke was reported inside of of apartment at 1027 North Western Avenue and someone possibly inside, according to the media release.

Firefighters and Liberal police officers initially encountered moderate to heavy smoke upon entry into the apartment.

They quickly located and removed the man from inside the apartment and also located and extinguished a fire in the kitchen area.

Seward County EMS transported the victim to Southwest Medical Center where he died.

Estimated loss in the fire was $30,000. The American Red Cross is assisting residents of other apartments within the complex.