The Great Bend Fire Department responded to a report of a shed fire at 1803 of Broadway in Great Bend Friday afternoon, said GBFD Deputy Chief Brent Smith. This was at about 1 p.m.

Upon arrival, a large amount of smoke and fire were coming from an attached garage with fire spreading to the attic of the house. “Initial crews made an aggressive interior fire attack to find heavy fire, smoke, and heat throughout the house and garage,” he said.

Crews made a search of the structure and found no occupants inside the residence, but during this search two dogs were discovered deceased. 

“Due to the amount of fire and the size of the structure, a mutual aid request was made to the Ellinwood Fire Department who responded with an engine and firefighters to assist,” Smith said.  The home suffered extensive heat and smoke damage with fire damage contained to the garage and attic space at the rear of the structure.  

The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature and was investigated by fire investigators from the Great Bend Fire Department, Kansas State Fire Marshal Office, and Great Bend Police Department detectives.  

Great Bend Fire was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Wheatland Electric, Kansas Gas Service, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Crews were at thee scene well into the afternoon.