(KTNC) - Fire caused extensive damage to a Falls City home early Thursday morning.
A passerby reported the fire, at 923 Fulton Street, shortly after 5:00 a.m. and volunteer firefighters were at the scene in about five minutes.
The fire was contained mainly to the basement on the southwest corner of the home and smoke was billowing out of basement windows when firefighters arrived. It took about 45-minutes to get the fire under control.
Firefighters at the scene say fire gutted the basement and there was extensive smoke damage throughout the house. The front door of the home was barricaded and firemen had to kick in the door to reach the flames.
The rental house is owned by Alvin and David Simon. It is occupied, but no one was home when the fire started.
The State Fire Marshal concluded a preliminary investigation shortly before 10:00 a.m., but would not comment immediately on what caused the fire, pending completion of the investigation.
Thirteen Falls City Volunteer Firefighters and nine Rural Firefighters responded to the fire call.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Severe storms move through NE KS
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Commission approves agreement for budget help
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Council hears report from golf course
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
NVCH receives $415,000 grant for expansion project
LATEST STORIES
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
One injured in Holt County MO wreck
Field survey set in Brown Co at U.S 77/K-20 junction
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Pawnee County Rural Health Clinic participating in DHHS program
Local students participation in Peru State research expo
Meetings to help with Homestead Exemptions scheduled in Johnson County