Thursday morning house fire north of Topeka under investigation

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - An early-morning house fire Thursday just north of Topeka is under investigation.

The blaze was reported around 1:45 a.m. Thursday at a single-story residence at 1148 N.W. 62nd Street.

The location was just west of N.W. 62nd and Rochester Road.

Soldier Township Fire Department crews responded to the scene to battle the blaze.

Mutual aid came from the Topeka Fire Department and from the Silver Lake Fire Department.

Authorities said smoke and flames were coming from the house when crews arrived on the scene.

The blaze caused extensive damage at the residence. The exterior and interior of the house was charred after being damaged by fire.

Authorities on the scene told 13 NEWS that the house that caught fire was believed to be vacant and that it was last known to have had occupants in July.

Investigators from the Topeka Fire Department and the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene as of 5:45 a.m. Thursday attempting to determine the cause of the blaze.

As of 10:33 a.m. Thursday, there had been no official determination on the cause of the fire. An estimated dollar loss also wasn’t available by mid-morning Thursday.

The Topeka investigator entered the burned-out home around 5:15 a.m. Thursday assisted by a Black Labrador dog that had been trained to detect the origin of fires.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

According to the Shawnee County Appraiser’s website, the property is owned by Eric E. and Linda L. Cook. Its 2023 appraised value was listed at $162,930.

Check wibw.com later for more details as they become available.