One Dead Following Fire at Kansas Self-Storage Facility

A fire at a Hutchinson, Kansas self-storage facility early Tuesday morning left one person dead, according to local authorities.

Crews were called to the Store'N Go facility at 4th Avenue and Bonebrake Street shortly after 8:00 a.m., following reports from Hutchinson police officers who had already arrived on scene and observed smoke billowing from one of the buildings.

Firefighters encountered heavy smoke coming from one of the eight long storage buildings on the property. They quickly began forcing entry into several units—cutting locks and doors—to gain access and contain the fire. Four units were found to be actively burning, prompting an aggressive response.

While extinguishing the flames, crews located a deceased individual inside one of the storage compartments. Investigators believe the unit may have been used as a residence. The victim has not yet been identified, and the Reno County Coroner’s Office is working to confirm the identity and cause of death.

The fire caused moderate fire damage to several units and led to smoke infiltration in roughly three-quarters of the remaining compartments. No injuries were reported among emergency personnel.

The Hutchinson Fire Department’s Fire Marshal continues to investigate the cause of the blaze.

PHOTO CREDIT: Marc Jacobs, Hutch Post