A fire Saturday at a New Jersey Street home during a birthday party damaged the property but injured no one.
"We tried hoses, but they wouldn't work. Then someone poured a couple of buckets of water, but the smoke and fire had gotten pretty bad," said Molly Easley, Lawrence, a friend of the occupants.
Easley was one of about 15 people gathered at 1104 N.J. for a birthday celebration, she said.
"We were talking in the backyard, and somebody went inside and smelled smoke in the front. Then we saw smoke in the bedroom," she said.
The flames had risen to more than 15 feet in the home's northwest corner before Lawrence-Douglas County Fire & Medical firefighters extinguished them with water from two hoses just before 10:45 p.m. Deputy Fire Chief Mark Bradford said the original emergency call was at 10:04 p.m.
After the flames were out, black residue charred the white exterior of three windows where flames had escaped the dwelling.
Bradford confirmed that no one was inside the home or injured. The neighbors north of the burning house also telephoned for help because they believed their home was ablaze, but no other structures were damaged, Bradford said.
"The fire spread outside of the room of origin," he said. "But firefighters did fairly quick work once they arrived to knock down the fire."
Firefighters work to ensure the fire is out at a house at 1104 N.J. The fire started late Saturday during a birthday party.
Bradford said he could not determine a cause. He expected the department's investigation to last into this morning. Damage to the home was considerable, but a precise estimate was not available Saturday.
From his brother's porch across the street at 1105 N.J., Jeremiah Johnson said he initially thought he saw a light in the window. It then grew into a large flame.
"It couldn't have been 10 minutes later when it looked like the fire was doing pretty good," said Johnson, of Elkhart, who was visiting his brother.
After the fire was out, some who were at the party gathered in the front yard next door and waited to talk with firefighters. Easley said the occupants rented the home and had lived there only since Aug. 1.
The Douglas County Appraiser's Web site lists the owner of the home as Bonita J. Yoder.
Comments
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pierced_daisy (anonymous) says…
I was at that party - holy crap is all i can say! thankfully, the fireman arrived within two minutes. This just goes to show that the landlords of older houses have a responsibility to check the wiring of a house and make sure its safe before they rent it.
Jane (anonymous) says…
Holy crap, what were they smoking/drinking that noone noticed that the freakin house was on fire? Just goes to show that occupants have a responsibility to know if their house is on fire--old home or not.
pierced_daisy (anonymous) says…
Jane - FYI no one was "smoking" anything like you allege and the party had just gotten going when this happened. And to your comment about being irresponsible and not knowing your house is on fire, who do you think called 911? The renters! So why dont you go back, read the article youre being sassy and rude about and notice that the party was in the back, the fire was in the front, as soon as it started it only took like five to ten minutes to get out of control. Oh and one more thing, while youre being out of line commenting on responsibility - maybe you should realize that two people are now homeless because of this and they lost alot of possessions. Try something new, try to donate to help not open your mouth to try to be "funny"
peachesncream (anonymous) says…
Why do you ASSUME that it was the wiring? The story states that its undetermined as of yet... hum did you know something about this FIRE ??? sounds funny to me
nugget (anonymous) says…
I live close to this house. The kids that were living there were good kids. They were in the back yard when the fire broke out, and the fire was in the far end of the front of the house. Quite a distance between the two. It was a candle that started it--read the follow-up article to this one. Still, a good two weeks after the fire was put out, it's still a big mess at this house and the landlord has done nothing to clean up the front yard which has a big pile of ashes. The city has been by and it's my understanding that the rental owner--a well known Lawrence slum lord is being issued a citation for failure to properly secure the property.
stephanie (anonymous) says…
I lived in that house from 96-98. I now live in California but still follow Lawrence news closely. No matter who is at fault the best thing is noone was hurt. I am a neurology rep and I work with traumatic injuries and deaths everyday- so be thankful that no lives were lost. The rude comments posted come from a very negative position. People that feel it is their responsiblity to create even more negativity to a situation like this need to take a look at themselves, get over the constant negativity----- because karma might get you back one day. My thoughts are with all of you.