Sep 22, 2023

Kan. woman smoking while on home oxygen critically injured

Posted Sep 22, 2023 2:30 PM

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a fire at a home on Wednesday in Topeka.

Just after 4:30 p.m., fire crews responded to a medical emergency that resulted from a small fire inside a duplex at 3354 SW Brendan Avenue in Topeka, according to city spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Upon arrival, the small fire had already been extinguished and first responder located a woman who was injured due to smoking and being on home oxygen.

Crews provided medical care and American Medical Response transported her to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

After a preliminary investigation the fire cause remains accidental. The total estimated dollar loss from this incident is $200, all of which is associated with content loss. The home did not have working smoke detectors.