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An northeast Wichita home is a total loss after flames engulfed the rear and interior of the house Saturday evening, a fire official said on scene.
Fire crews continued to douse the charred house with water an hour after someone called 911 to report seeing smoke and flames, Wichita fire Battalion Chief Kevin Royse said. First responders tried to attack the flames from inside the house, but a downed electrical line and strong winds hindered firefighting efforts, he said.
Crews pulled out until Westar Energy workers arrived on scene to secure the power lines. The attack continued a short time later, Royse said.
The fire started at about 8:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of North Green. The house sits on the southeast corner of Green and 16th Street.
No one was hurt. Authorities say the house was vacant; a woman standing nearby told The Eagle she had been renting the residence since summer.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Royse said the house likely would be ruled a total loss.
