Overland Park and Shawnee firefighters battled a house for about 40 minutes Friday before bringing the fire under control.
No one was injured in the fire, which was at the 10100 block of West 65th Street in Merriam, Kansas. Two people and three cats living inside the home made it out safely, according to a release from the Overland Park Fire Department.
OPFD responding to house fire in Merriam. Homeowner says 2 adults and 3 cats rescued from house. Everyone is ok. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/aiNrKEBAiS
— Alex Baum (@abaum_KSHB) March 19, 2017
Crews arrived shortly before 1 p.m. but efforts were slowed by downed power lines. The power was eventually cut by KCP&L and firefighters were able to resume work.
Officials have yet to rule on an official cause of the fire but one of the residents told officials he was burning leaves in his backyard and saw the fire spread to the deck.
An Overland Park Fire Department spokesman said in the news release:
Today's fire is a stark reminder of the dangers of open burning, especially on a warm, windy day. Please follow all regulations for burning and consider weather conditions before starting burns. For more information on fire safety, visit the fire page at www.opkansas.org
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