Web posted
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Fire damages Fourth Street house
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Photo by Donita Clausen
click image to enlarge
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Nobody inside house during fire, which appears to have started on upper floor
By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer
Firefighters battled a two-story house fire at Fourth Street and Spruce Avenue this morning. Police at the scene checked for anyone possibly trapped in the house.
Within minutes, authorities had determined that no one was at home at the residence of Don and Jackie Hickey, 326 N. Fourth, said Police Capt. Tom Scott.
"All the kids are in school and the daughter-in-law is in Wichita for a doctor's appointment," Scott said at the scene.
The couple have three children, including two attending Frances Willard Elementary School and one who attends Ark City High School, he said.
The fire apparently started on the upper floor of the two-story wood frame house. Flames and smoke were shooting through the roof.
The Ark City Fire Department got a call reporting the fire at 9:03 a.m. An engine unit and EMS truck were dispatched to the scene. A Winfield fire unit also arrived to assist.
Wesley Hickey, Don's father, who lives across the alley from the residence, was watching as firefighters battled the blaze.
"My dog was howling at the sirens, and I looked out and saw smoke and fire," Wesley Hickey said. "I'm glad nobody was in (the house)."
Don drives an 18-wheeler and was out on a run, he said.
Above: The Arkansas City Fire Department Chief Randy Leach uses a pike pole to pull material from the house as firefighters battled a blaze at 326 N. Fourth Street Thursday.
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