At approximately 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, the Great Bend Fire Department responded to the report of a structure fire in the 900 block of Jefferson Street in Great Bend.
Upon arrival, crews found a detached garage fully involved in fire, a full size pickup fully involved in fire under a carport which was also on fire. Fire was spreading to another vehicle in the drive and was impinging on the residence.
Prior to GBFD arrival, Great Bend Police Department Officer Taylor Reed arrived on scene, forced entry into the residence waking up the occupants and successfully removed them from the residence.
Fire crews made an aggressive interior attack on the structure where they encountered high heat and very limited visibility. The garage, carport and both vehicles are considered a total loss.
Due to the freezing temperatures at the time of the fire, off-duty crews were called to the scene to assist with the fire.
The Great Bend Fire Department would like to give special recognition to Officer Reed for going above and beyond in removing the occupants from the residence.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Great Bend Fire Department and the Kansas State Fire Marshal Office. The Great Bend Fire Department would also like to recognize and thank the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriffs Office, Wheatland Electric and Kansas Gas Service for assisting at the scene.