Great Bend Post
A frigid weekend did not slow down the Great Bend Fire Department. From Friday, Jan. 23 through Monday, Jan. 26, the department responded to several structure fires.
Sunday afternoon, GBFD and EMS units were dispatched to The Doghouse Bar, 5609 Oil Center Road South, for the report of a structure fire. Upon arrival crews, found heavy smoke coming from the eves of the structure. Crews entered the building and made an aggressive interior attack and were able to extinguish the fire. Due to multiple Fire and EMS units already on calls in the city, Ellinwood Fire Department was requested for mutual aide. The interior of the structure sustained substantial fire, smoke, and water damage. A portable heater being used to thaw pipes caused the fire.
Also on Sunday, fire and EMS crews responded to 811 Grant Street, which is a multi-unit apartment building. Initial callers reported a fire in the kitchen with sprinkler activation. Upon arrival, crews found a smoldering fire that had been mostly extinguished by the sprinkler system. Investigation determined that a grease fire had started, then quickly spread to items around the stove. Luckily the sprinklers then activated and extinguished the fire.
Last Friday, Fire and EMS units were dispatched to 404 Plum for the report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, crews found an outbuilding fully involved and the fire had spread to a nearby trailer house. Crews quickly deployed multiple lines to begin fire attack. Crews simultaneously searched both buildings to make sure there were no occupants in the structures. The fire was quickly knocked down. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This morning, fire and EMS were dispatched to the 2300 block of Main Street for a report of a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival, crews found a full-size pick-up truck with heavy fire showing from the engine compartment. The fire was quickly extinguished.
Assisting GBFD on the above calls were the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriffs Office, Ellinwood Fire Department, Kansas Gas, Wheatland Electric, Mid-West Energy, and the Kansas State Fire Marshalls Office.