BARTON COUNTY — Authorities in Barton County have responded to several fires since Friday and all of them were heating related, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The most serious of these fires occurred at about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to 789 E. Kansas Highway 4 near Claflin. Upon arrival, firefighters and deputies discovered a house fully involved in flames.

Investigation at the scene indicated that the house was not occupied at the time of the fire but, the tenants had been using wood burning equipment to keep the structure warm. The residence was a total loss.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Feb. 8, sheriff’s deputies responded to a structure fire at 672 Barton Ave. south of Hoisington and another just after 5 p.m. on Feb. 9, at 11 NE. 30th Road, just north of the city of Great Bend.

Both of these fires caused substantial damage to the residences and were heating related, according to Bellendir. Authorities reported no injuries.