ARLINGTON, Kan. — Firefighters battled extreme cold and challenging conditions Saturday afternoon while responding to a structure fire in Arlington.
At approximately 12:55 p.m. units from Reno County Fire District 1 were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 200 block of South Vine Street.
Upon arrival, crews found smoke coming from the attic and active fire located in a bathroom. Firefighters initiated an aggressive interior attack; however, multiple ceiling layers inside the home made it difficult to access the fire in the attic space. During suppression efforts, crews were forced to evacuate the structure due to a roof collapse.
The home sustained extensive damage as a result of the fire.
Reno County EMS was on scene providing rehabilitation services to firefighters. No injuries were reported.
Firefighting efforts were further complicated by bitterly cold conditions. Temperatures at the time of the fire were around 5 degrees, with a negative wind chill causing equipment to freeze.
The American Red Cross responded to assist the occupants displaced by the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.