Great Bend fire and law enforcement crews responded to a house fire Monday afternoon, which left the garage of a Great Bend residence completely destroyed.

According to Great Bend Deputy Fire Chief Brent Smith, at approximately 3:20 p.m. Monday, March 21, GBFD crews responded to a report of a garage fire at 2822 18th St., near the intersection of 18th and Madison, fully engulfed with flames with unknown occupants inside.  

When fire crews arrived on scene, a 24-foot by 30-foot garage was found with smoke and flames coming from the structure, and a vehicle adjacent to the garage also on fire. Smith said all occupants had already exited the structure when crews arrived. 

According to Smith, crews made an interior fire attack and were met with a large amount of fire and heavy smoke conditions. As the roof began to collapse, firefighters were removed from the structure and a defensive fire attack was established, fighting the fire from the exterior. Due to the possibility of walls collapsing, crews remained in defensive fire attack mode until the fire was extinguished.  

Smith said no injuries were reported to any occupants or fire personnel on-scene.  

GBFD investigators determined the fire to be accidental in nature, with the probable cause being flammable material being stored too close to a heat source. The building and contents had extensive fire, smoke, and water damage throughout.

GBFD was assisted at the scene by multiple agencies, including the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Wheatland Electric Cooperative and Kansas Gas Service.