Johnson County family escapes early morning blaze after child hears smoke alarms sounding
A Johnson County family of five escaped from their burning home early Friday after a child heard a smoke alarm sounding and alerted the others, according to a fire department spokesman.
Firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after 6 a.m. at a single-family house in the 10800 block of West 98th Street in Overland Park, said Jason Rhodes, a spokesman for the Overland Park Fire Department.
The first crews on the scene reported heavy fire coming from the back of the two-story home and everyone had escaped safely, he said.
Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames on the exterior of the home and then began an interior attack. The fire had spread into the attic. Additional firefighters searched the home to make sure everyone had gotten out of the house.
Fire crews brought the fire under control in about 20 minutes. The fire damaged both levels of the home, with the upper floor and attic sustaining the most damage, Rhodes said.
The American Red Cross was helping the family with lodging. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The fire serves as a reminder of the importance of having working smoke detectors, Rhodes said. Anyone needing assistance with smoke alarms is urged to contact their local fire department.
