Grass fire comes within inches of apartment complex in Hays

Grass fire at apartment complex on the 500 block of 16 St., Hays — Grass fire at apartment complex in the 500 block of E. 16th, Hays

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

A grass fire in Hays came within inches of several apartments located in the 500 block of E. 16th St. around 4:15 p.m. Monday.

According to Hays Fire Department Chief Gary Brown, the fire burned an area of grass approximately 50 x 20 feet.

Brown said the fire apparently started on the front lawn, but the cause is unknown.

Adam Tabor, owner of the apartment building, said he is thankful “damage was minimal” and that the building is brick, adding the incident could have been “a lot worse.”

HFD on scene of grass fire at apartment complex Monday.

“We tried stomping out the fire on our own but it kept coming back,” Tabor said as he stood with the group of neighbors who tried to help before firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the fire with water hoses.

Brown said the fire was the fourth grass fire Hays fire crews have been called to since Friday.

“Low humidity is the culprit,” Brown said. He encouraged people to be cautious.

“Be very careful with cigarettes, any open flame, work that is going to create sparks…mulch is going to be very dry…and grass is just very, very dry” Brown advised.

The National Weather Service office out of Dodge City had already issued a “Red Flag Alert” earlier Monday.

Grass fire at 500 block of 16 St., Hays, Monday

Brown explained the alerts warn area firefighters when conditions are ideal for grass fires and their rapid spread.

According to the Dodge City NWS website, Monday’s Red Flag Warning will expire at 7 p.m.