The fire that destroyed a home three miles west of Lecompton this morning was caused by a faulty electrical cord, according to a state fire marshal's report.
About 35 firefighters from Lecompton and other townships responded to the fire about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday but failed to save the converted stone schoolhouse near the intersection of East 300 Road and North 2100 Road. The house was "a total loss," said Lecompton Fire Chief Will Shockley. The damage was likely to be at least $200,000, he said.
At least one person was at home when the fire began, Shockley said. No injuries were reported. The fire was under control by 10 a.m., and firefighters cleared the scene at 1 p.m.
Comments
bhall87 5 months ago
The house is located along North 2100 Road and is actually closer to East 350 Road.
For those who are interested, the house used to be the Glenn School (Dist. 33).
Ian_Cummings 5 months ago
Right, North 2100 Road. I've corrected that, thanks.
none2 5 months ago
You forgot to update it to say near 350 Rd -- not 300 Rd.
MattBoose 5 months ago
No one was home like reported.
StonyLonesomeFarms 5 months ago
Just a FYI. H, Wayne Riley retired from as Chief of Lecompton Fire / EMS January 1. The new Chief is Will Shockley
Ian_Cummings 5 months ago
Thanks, I've made that correction.
mcallaigh 5 months ago
35 firefighters!!! WOW!!!
Volunteers???
Glad nobody was hurt, but terrible loss if it was a historical structure...
somebodynew 5 months ago
mcallaigh - a bit of clairification: it was a "terrible loss" because it was someone's HOME. A little extra sad if it was historical, but somebody is now out everything.
none2 5 months ago
Yes, it is very important to state that it was someone's home - not just some historical monument. From a practical standpoint, it is where a family is sheltered from the elements, where their clothes, food, computer files, legal documents, maybe money, bonds, stocks, etc are kept. From a sentimental stand point, a home is where many valuables and priceless keepsakes are. It is where numerous memories are found in every nook and cranny...
That being said, I would totally disagree that it is just a "little extra sad" that a historical structure burned. When one lives in a historical structure, you appreciate that there is much more at stake. A part of history is destroyed for everybody -- other former family owners, the community, etc. Also unlike the modern homes of wood and sheetrock, some people who live in stone structures are hoping to have a home that their great grand children can see. Maybe their descendants won't own the house, but they will still know that it stands and that they might be able to see where their ancestors were.
Many times someone has to decide if they want to repair what they have or start over. There aren't a lot of builders who work on stone buildings, so that can make a difference as to what they can afford to repair what they have, or if they have to start over. So no, this is not just a "little extra sad".
I've seen this house before. The owners had something to be VERY proud of. It isn't large as is typical of many modern buildings, but it is a very sturdy, nice looking house that could easily last for centuries. I hope that they will be able to fix it up. I wish them the best.
otto 5 months ago
mcallaigh6 hours, 29 minutes ago
35 firefighters!!! WOW!!!
Volunteers???
And your point is?
Many volunteers as you point out are highly trained and do a great job with limited resources like low funding, lack of available water without hauling it in etc... Many volunteers are nationally certified in firefighting while some of the younger ones are learning the trade and want to become full time firefighters. You would learn alot from getting to know how the volunteer system works.
Claire Williams 5 months ago
I don't know that they were being sarcastic. I think they were really saying "Wow, that is a lot of firefighters, it must have been a bad fire."
superswagg56 5 months ago
Whose house was it?
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