A two-story home in rural Barton County was destroyed by fire Thursday afternoon.
Sheriff Brian Bellendir said deputies discovered the fire at SW 10 Ave. and SW 10 Road while on routine patrol. Trucks from the Great Bend Fire Department were dispatched at 12:32 p.m.
Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said the home, owned by Rick Novotny, was fully involved with fire. No one was inside. It was a total loss.
“Ellinwood Fire and the sheriff’s office assisted,” Napolitano said. “We were on the scene for three hours.”
The State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated on Friday to help us find the cause.
Sheriff Bellendir noted that the fire is considered suspicious in nature. “The residence was vacant at the time of the fire. No utilities were hooked up at the time,” he said.