Family members escape Merriam house fire that killed their dog

A family escaped without injuries from a burning duplex in Merriam early Thursday. A dog, however, died in the fire.

Firefighters from Overland Park and Consolidated Fire District No. 2 in Johnson County responded to the fire in the 9500 block of West 55th Street shortly before 3 a.m.

The first crews arriving on the scene reported seeing smoke and fire coming from a window at the back of the house. Merriam police reported everyone had escaped.

While a team of firefighters attacked the fire, which was found in a back bedroom, others searched the home to make sure everyone had escaped. During their search, they found the deceased dog.

Firefighters brought the fire under control in about 30 minutes. They contained the fire damage to one side of the duplex.

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross was helping five residents who live in the side of the duplex damaged by fire.

Residents told fire investigators that a cooking fire might be to blame, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This story was originally published July 23, 2015 at 8:23 AM with the headline "Family members escape Merriam house fire that killed their dog."