Fire claims life of Bonner Springs woman

A fire at a home in the 400 block of Sheidley in Bonner Springs claimed the life of a woman on Monday night.

According to Bonner Springs Fire Chief Dennis Hubbel, the fire was called in around 8:50 p.m., and it started in the bedroom of the home.

The state fire marshal investigated and the cause of the fire has not been determined, according to Chief Hubbel.

He said the fire is believed to have started at a nightstand beside the bed where there were some cords, a lamp, extension cords and other items, but investigators are not certain of the exact cause. The fire spread quickly, he said.

About 26 firefighters responded to the fire, he said. There was just smoke showing when firefighters arrived at the house, he said. Firefighters broke out a bedroom window, knocked the fire down, did a search and found the woman, who had died, Chief Hubbel said.

Police want an autopsy done, he said.

The home had three smoke detectors, he said. Two persons lived at the home, and one of them was not home at the time of the fire, Chief Hubbel said.

He said there are usually not many fires in Bonner Springs, about one a year, and there have recently been two close together. He said they do a lot of education about fire safety.