Manage Delivery
A fire that destroyed a southeast Wichita family’s garage hours before Thanksgiving has been ruled accidental, according to the Wichita Fire Department’s investigations unit.
Fire investigator Mark Reibenspies on Saturday said what sparked the flames in the front section of the attached garage, however, remains undetermined.
He added that the explosion neighbors reported hearing likely happened after the fire started — possibly from vehicles stored in the structure.
The fire started about 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 8800 block of East Hurst while six people — four adults and two children — were at the house, Wichita fire Battalion Chief Tom Carney said by phone that night. The address is south of Pawnee and east of Rock Road.
The flames were mostly contained in the garage and caused about $80,000 in damage.
Everyone, including a trapped dog rescued by firefighters, escaped unharmed.
