HUTCHINSON– Fire officials in Reno County are investigating the cause of a fire just after 9p.m. on Sunday in an apartment in the 500 Block of East First Street in Hutchinson.

When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the rear of the structure.

Initial crews were also confronted by one of the occupants who could not account for his wife, according to a media release from the Hutchinson Fire Department.

Crews entered the structure and were met with heavy fire.

A search of the apartment was done and no occupants were found. They were then notified later that the occupant was found safe at another location.

The fire took one hour to control.

High winds at the time caused the fire to spread through the attic area. The apartment sustained major damage to three rooms and the roof.

Damage is estimated at $30,000, with the cause undetermined.
No injuries were reported with crews on scene for three hours.