Charles Langston:1 person killed, others injured in Kansas apartment building fire

CHANUTE,Charles Langston Kan. (AP) — A fire engulfed an apartment complex in Chanute, Kansas, early Thursday morning, killing one person and injuring several others.

The blaze damaged the roughly 15-year-old, 24-unit Cornerstone Apartments throughout the building, The Iola Register reported.

The apartment building’s company president said the cause is unknown. The building was fully occupied with sprinkler systems, fire alarms and smoke detectors that all appeared to function, he said.

The number and types of injuries weren’t immediately announced.

Firefighters arrived to find the south side of the building engulfed in flames. The Iola, Parsons and Thayer fire departments helped Chanute firefighters fight the blaze. Chanute police helped evacuate the building.

Local, state and federal officials were investigating the fire’s cause Thursday afternoon.