By Michael Glenn
Hutchinson Tribune Staff
SOUTH HUTCHINSON—One house fire on Monday evening impacted two houses on West Avenue D in South Hutchinson, and both families have asked for community assistance in the wake of total losses.
Yoana Ramirez said neither family knows how the fire started, but she was with her parents in the house when the fire started.
“They lost everything in the fire, with the smoke and water,” Ramirez said. “I know both families could use any help. Everything is gone.”
While no occupant was stuck or injured by the fire, Ramirez said fire crews working the site found her brother’s cat hidden underneath a bed. The cat turned out OK, and saw a veterinarian Tuesday after being rescued from the house.
Ramirez said her family was struggling prior to the fire, after her husband was picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement two weeks ago. She added any types of donations could help either family at this time.
“I feel like the next process is going to be expensive for both families, and waiting for insurance to get stuff together, it’s going to be a process,” Ramirez said. “Though I feel like anything would help either family.”
In a Facebook post, Ramirez said her family is asking for size 2T, medium, extra large and double extra large shirts, large, 36 and 38-size pants, small leggings, toddler shoes sized 5 to 6, women’s shoes 7.5, 8 and 9.5 and men’s shoes 8, 8.5 and 12. Donations can be dropped off at 406 E. Ave. D in South Hutchinson.
Those wanting to donate financially can help support the family by using Ramirez’s CashApp at $yoanaramirez17 or Venmo at @Yoana-Ramirez-11.
Kensley Harper and her family were also affected by the fire, and is asking for donations of girl’s clothes sized 8, 10/12, boy’s clothes sized 5T or 6, small or medium women’s shorts and shirts, extra large men’s shorts and shirts, girl’s shoes sized 2, boy’s shoes sized 12, women’s shoes sized 7 and men’s shoes sized 11. Donations for the Harper family can be dropped off at 1009 N. Main St. in Hutchinson.
Those wanting to donate financially can help the family through CashApp at $KensleyHarper7 or Venmo at @Kensley-Harper-1. Harper also has an Amazon wishlist for classroom supplies that can be reached here.
The Harper family could not be reached before publication.
The South Hutchinson Fire Department released a press release Tuesday describing Monday’s fire. The department said resources from Reno County Fire District 1 were called as well as neighboring fire districts. All occupants were safely evacuated before fire personnel arrived at the scene.
Fire crews found an attached garage fully in fire, with smoke coming from the neighboring house as well, and began an aggressive attack on the fire. The department said two South Hutchinson firefighters were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for evaluation after being at the scene. One firefighter was treated and released while the other was admitted for further care.
The fire department said the Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire.
“The South Hutchinson Fire Department extends its sincere appreciation to all of the agencies and individuals who assisted during this incident, including the Hutchinson Fire Department, Reno County Fire District No. 1, Reno County EMS, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, South Hutchinson Police Department, South Hutchinson Public Works Department, Evergy, Kansas Gas Service, Reno County Dispatch, Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and everyone who generously provided food and water for crews working at the scene,” the press release said.