By Assistant Chief Jim Eden
Lee’s Summit Fire Department

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, at 3:04 a.m., the Lee’s Summit Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 Block of NE Fernwood Circle.

The resident of the involved duplex came home from work and was met by heavy smoke as they tried to open the front door. They went to the neighbor’s unit to alert them to the fire and have had them call 911 and report a person still inside.

The person still inside the duplex had been asleep in a bedroom and was unable to get out after waking up in the smoke filled room. The resident was able to push out a window and two Lee’s Summit Police officers assisted them to safety.

When the fire department arrived, smoke was visible from the outside of the one-story duplex. Firefighters entered the smoke filled unit of the duplex and extinguished a fire in the living room. A search of the entire duplex confirmed everyone was out. Crews did find two dogs that did not survive the fire. The incident was under control by 3:29 a.m.

Fire damage was contained to the living room with heavy heat and smoke damage to the remainder of the unit, with the exception of the bedroom that had the door closed during the fire. There was no damage to the neighboring unit of the duplex and it was able to be reoccupied.

The fire originated near a couch in the living room. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

One person was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for non-life threatening injuries.