Firefighters rescue 2 people from Olathe house fire. One man critically hurt
The Olathe Fire Department put out a fire and rescued two injured people — one with severe burns — from a burning home within 12 minutes of responding to a house fire Tuesday, a department spokesman said.
Firefighters responded around 12:08 p.m. to a home at East Welston Avenue and East Bristol Lane on a reported fire with a patient, according to Captain Mike Hall, a fire department spokesman.
After crews arrived, they made quick work of the scene, by locating an injured man, evacuating the home and putting out the blaze in about 12 minutes, Hall said.
“In some cases, it’s not that fast, for a number of reasons,” Hall said. “But it all worked out for the better, because the quicker we can do our job, you know, the better we can hope to improve the outcome for the patient.”
One man who was found with severe burns was transported to a hospital by Johnson County paramedics. He was in critical condition Tuesday, the fire department said.
Another man was also transported to a hospital with less serious injuries.
As of Wednesday afternoon, investigators were still accessing the full extent of damage to the home. Hall said it appeared the fire was contained to the room where it originated.
Investigators were also still working Wednesday to determine what caused the fire.
Hall said he is unsure of whether smoke alarms played a part in Tuesday’s fire, but he wants to remind people to check them by pushing the “test” button on them.
Any alarms over 10 years old are recommended to be replaced, he said.
This story was originally published February 4, 2026 at 3:26 PM.
