Fire at Relax Inn shuts down part of Wanamaker

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Northbound lanes of SW Wanamaker Road were shut down on June 1 after a fire at the Relax Inn located at 1224 SW Wanamaker Rd.

Topeka Fire Department says fire crews found smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the vacant hotel.

Battalion Chief Dean Akers told 13 News that crews were able to contain the fire quickly and that crews have been called to this building for fires multiple times before.

TFD says no one was found inside. No injuries were reported.

Akers says that the cause is intentional as there are no utilities provided to the building right now.

According to city officials, there have been 14 City of Topeka property maintenance violation cases related to 1224 SW Wanamaker Rd over the last five years.

Currently, there are three open cases on the property — a condemnation case, an emergency securement case, and a housing violation.

The City of Topeka has maintained contact with the property owner over the past few years regarding ongoing issues.

Following Thursday’s fire, the city is in the process of taking emergency securement action on the property.