KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Fire investigators believe a house fire that damaged an Overland Park home Monday morning was caused by a fire pit that wasn't completely extinguished from use the previous night.
Firefighters responded to the 14000 block of Hayes Street shortly before 4 a.m., and witnessed smoke and fire from the back of a two-story, single-family house.
Fire was reported in the attic of the home, and all occupants escaped without injury.
Firefighters battled the blaze, initially starting with an offensive attack. Crews pulled down the ceiling of the second floor to access the attic, while others made sure everyone had safely escaped the home.
When firefighters found heavy fire burning in large empty sections of the attic, they switched to using a defensive aerial attack. It took crews about two hours to put out the blaze.
The home suffered significant fire and water damage.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the fire pit was used Sunday night on top of the wooden deck on the house.
An Overland Park Fire Department spokesperson said the family is working with its insurance company to find a place to stay.
