2 dogs die in fire at encampment near Kansas River

Two dogs died in a fire Saturday afternoon at an encampment near Burcham Park, according to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical.

Around 1 p.m., fire crews responded to a fire that was caused by stoves used for cooking and warmth that were too close to combustible materials, Division Chief Kevin Joles said in a news release. Firefighters accessed the encampment, which is on the south bank of the Kansas River, through a locked gate and quickly extinguished the fire, he said.

“Unfortunately, two dogs perished in the fire,” he said. No firefighters were injured.

Further details were not provided.