DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and fire investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire that
Just after 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Douglas County Emergency Communications Center (911) received several calls reporting smoke and fire from a wooded area near the Kansas River levy, according to a media release.
The initial call to 911 reported dogs fighting and shots fired in a wooded area near the levy. A short time later, Lawrence Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) was dispatched after black smoke was seen coming from the area. One of the Lawrence Kansas Police Department’s Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles was in the area with a training team and reported the smoke.
Fire crews found a tent shelter that was consumed by fire. First responders used an off-road utility vehicle with a water tank and hose to extinguish the flames, which were ultimately found just south of the 700 block of Ash in the woods off the riverbank.
Two dogs perished during the fire. A third dog escaped and was transported to a veterinary office for evaluation. No people were harmed.
LDCFM is working this ongoing investigation to find the person or people responsible.