Four people dragged to safety after fireworks fire destroys outbuilding in Johnson County
Rescuers dragged four people to safety after they were injured when a fire swept through an outbuilding in rural Johnson County as fireworks actively exploded, according to a post on the Northwest Consolidated Fire District’s Facebook page.
All four patients were taken to hospitals by Johnson County Med-Act. Two people had serious injuries, according to the fire department, which serves De Soto and Northwest Johnson County.
Firefighters responded to the blaze about 10:15 p.m. Saturday near West 127th Street and South Gardner Road in the Lexington Township, south of De Soto.
The first firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes and reported that a detached building was on fire and that fireworks were actively exploding, according to a news release from the fire department. They also reported that there were victims lying on the ground.
Firefighters along with members of the Johnson County Med-Act, Johnson County Park Police and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office dragged the victims to safety and provided aid.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze. The building, however was a total loss. The Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office were assisting with the investigation into the fire.
“As a reminder, possessing and using fireworks in unincorporated Johnson County is prohibited except for permitted public displays,” the fire department said in the news release.
This story was originally published July 2, 2023 at 1:40 PM.
