Family of 5 escapes Topeka house fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) - A family of five escaped a Topeka house fire Tuesday that burned for at least two hours throughout the morning.

First reports of the fire near Southwest Munson Avenue and Clay Street came after 4 a.m., according to Shawnee County Dispatch. A shift commander on scene told KSNT News that a family of five was inside when the fire started. They were able to get out safely without injuries.

Heavy flames were mainly on the second floor of the home. Firefighters at the scene said they avoided going inside the home to treat for hotspots because the building could collapse from $37,000 worth of structural damage. The Topeka Fire Department also said the fire burned $17,000 worth of contents inside the home.

The American Red Cross said it would meet with the family after the fire because the damage prevented them from going back inside their home. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire at this time.