Dog dies in Wednesday morning house fire in central Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - A dog died in a Wednesday morning fire that caused substantial damage to a large, two-story house in central Topeka, authorities said.

The blaze was reported around 8:30 a.m. at a residence at 1148 S.W. MacVicar Ave. The house was located at the northeast corner of the intersection of S.W. Munson and MacVicar avenues.

Flames and smoke were reported coming from the wooden-frame house when firefighters arrived on the scene.

Topeka Fire Marshal Alan Stahl told 13 NEWS at the scene that the homeowner was away when the fire broke out.

The homeowner returned in time to provide fire crews a key to the residence, which assisted them in making entry into the house.

Firefighters were able to rescue several pets -- including a cat and a two guinea pigs -- from the residence. However, a dog that was taken out of the burning house succumbed to fire-related injuries, most likely smoke inhalation, authorities said.

“Our fire crews, with the help of the homeowner, were able to get inside the structure really quickly and did an excellent job at keeping that fire contained and getting it stopped,” Stahl said. “They were able to search that building and thank goodness, no one was at home and no one was hurt.

“Unfortunately, one dog did succumb to injuries that were sustained during the fire.”

Much of the damage was to the back of the house, which was completely charred after the fire.

Smoke continued drifting out of the second floor area for more than a half-hour after crews arrived at the scene.

Several Topeka Fire Department truck companies and engines responded to the blaze, as did an aerial truck that extended its ladder to assist crews as they extinguished the blaze.

A Topeka fire investigator was called to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.

No injuries to people were reported.

Additional details weren’t immediately available.

Check wibw.com for more information as it becomes available.