HUTCHINSON — Authorities are working to determine the cause of a large fire at Foundation of Life Church in Hutchinson early Friday
Update. Fire is running through void spaces in building. 3 aerial ladders in operations plus many hand lines in operation. Press briefing at 5 o’clock by command post on 1 st street. pic.twitter.com/UGzA5br27m
— Hutchinson Fire Dept (@Hutchinson_Fire) March 15, 2019
Just after 11:45p.m. Thursday, fire crews responded to 134 East Sherman after report of a fire at Foundation of Life Ministries Church in Hutchinson after an alert Hutchinson police officer on patrol reported the blaze, according to Fire Chief Steve Beer.
First arriving crews found heavy fire showing from the second floor of the church. The fire quickly spread despite aggressive interior tactics by firefighters.
Extensive damage has occurred in two buildings. A third building owned by Electrex was threatened during the height of the incident but due to extensive efforts of fire fighters only minor damage occurred.
The fire department operated 8 engines and 3 ladder trucks with 40 fire fighters. At the height of the fire, approximately 7000 gallons of water per minute was being utilized to fight the fire in order to contain it to the building of origin. Hutchinson was assisted with a ladder truck from McPherson and an engine from South Hutchinson. Reno County Fire District #3 and Pretty Prairie Fire provided engines to cover the City as all on duty fire fighters were working the fire.
Crews continued to soak down numerous hot spots early Friday and will continue to be on scene throughout the day.
Notification has been made to the State Fire Marshal’s office and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as standard protocol for church fires.
Many streets are closed in the area. Please do not come into the area as pedestrian traffic. Multiple fire units continue to work. Poplar Street is closed from 1st Avenue to Avenue A, 1st Avenue is closed from Poplar Street to Walnut Street, Walnut Street is closed from 1st Avenue to Sherman Avenue, and Sherman Avenue is closed from Main Street to Poplar Street.
Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by Fire District #3, McPherson Fire, Pretty Prairie Fire, South Hutchinson Fire, McPherson Fire, Reno County EMS, Hutchison Police Department, Reno County Emergency Management, Hutchinson Street Department, Hutchinson Water Department, Hutchinson Central Garage, Kansas Gas Service, Westar, Salvation Army, and Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office
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HUTCHINSON — Authorities are working to determine the cause of a large fire at Foundation of Life Church in Hutchinson early Friday.
Crews from multiple agencies responded to the fire just before midnight at 134 East Sherman Street, according to a social media report from the Hutchinson Fire Department. There are no injuries reported.
Update: all crews working. Heavy fire still showing. pic.twitter.com/A7JzZOAAXW
— Hutchinson Fire Dept (@Hutchinson_Fire) March 15, 2019
The Kansas Fire Marshal’s office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive swill begin their investigation later Friday.