Downtown high-rise fire was accidentally caused by squatters, investigators say
Squatters using open flames in a vacant penthouse of a downtown high-rise caused an accidental fire last week, the Wichita Fire Department said.
Lt. Jose Ocadiz said a Dec. 20 fire at the Shirkmere Apartments at Second and Topeka was caused by open flames used by squatters to heat food and keep warm.
The fire was contained to a ninth-floor penthouse, which was vacant and used for storage.
The only injury was a firefighter who slipped on a wet staircase.
A cost estimate was not available.
Jason Tidd: 316-268-6593, @Jason_Tidd
This story was originally published December 27, 2017 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Downtown high-rise fire was accidentally caused by squatters, investigators say."