The house at 207 Plum St. was heavily damaged by fire early Friday, for the second time in two years. After investigation by the Great Bend Fire Department and the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office, police were asked to take an arson case.
According to reports, Leesa Maupin reported her house at 207 Plum St. was on fire at 12:05 a.m. Friday.
Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said firefighters were dispatched at 12:07 a.m. and arrived to see heavy flames on the exterior of the house and from the soffit and attic area. It took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control and units remained on the scene for two hours putting out hot spots.
The fire is believed to have started outside in a woodpile that was next to the house, Napolitano reported in an email Friday.
Lt. William Browne at the Great Bend Police Department declined to answer questions about the case, saying they should be directed to the fire department.
The fire chief was unavailable on Monday, but GBFD Capt. Kevin Stanfield provided more information. He said the department sent two fire engines, a ladder truck, a command vehicle and an ambulance. Damage to the house was estimated to be 74 percent, and damage to the contents was estimated at $5,000.
 In February of 2013, the house at 207 Plum St. was damaged by another fire that caused more than $15,000. Three dogs and two puppies also died in that fire, which was attributed to an electrical overload. At that time that Maupin told the Great Bend Tribune the house was uninsurable.