Two people now dead in massive Chanute fire – smoking ruled the cause
CHANUTE, Kan. — Authorities now say two people have died as a result of a fire that destroyed a large apartment complex in Chanute, Kansas last week.
Kalyn Jones, 22, was found dead after firefighters put out the fire at the Cornerstone Apartments early Thursday morning.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal, Mark Engholm, said Monday that another person, Jolavon Haymaker, 90, died at the KU Medical Center from injuries sustained in the fire. Seven others who were also injured, were treated and released.
Chanute apartment fire now investigated as fatal
Engholm said the fire started due to “carelessly discarded smoking materials on an exterior balcony of the building.” He said “high wind conditions rapidly drove the fire up the exterior of the building and through an adjacent, open stairwell.”
Firefighters from Chanute, Thayer, Iola and Parsons assisted in putting out the flames. Agents with the ATF, Kansas State Fire Marshal, Neosho County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sedgwick County Fire Department assisted in the investigation.
Engholm said they spent more than “140 investigative hours” and interviewed more than “35 residents and witnesses.”
According to their investigation, the fire reached the attic before it was detected by a resident. Engholm says that resident activated the building’s fire alarm, but the fire destroyed the system’s wiring shortly after it sounded.
The Chanute Community Foundation has set up a fund to collect money to assist those affected by the fire. Monetary donations may be dropped off at the Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce, 21 N. Lincoln, in Chanute.
