22 Firefighters Respond To Walnut Towers In Winfield; 12 Apartments Sustain Water, Smoke Damage

Firefighters respond to an apartment fire at Walnut Towers Sunday evening in Winfield. (Photos by Brady Bauman)

Several area fire departments responded to Walnut Towers Apartments Sunday night in Winfield.

A fire was reported in an apartment at the second floor of the southwest corner of the six-story complex. Residents were evacuated and the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported.

According to a news release Monday morning from the Winfield Fire Department, at 7:41 p.m. Sunday evening, Winfield Fire/EMS Department responded to 1201 Menor Street for the report of a structure fire at Walnut Towers.

First arriving units found a fire in a second-floor apartment.

The fire was contained to one apartment and was quickly extinguished by fire crews. A sprinkler head in the hallway did activate as well.

Responding crews had to assist multiple residents in evacuating from the building. Crews then spent a significant amount of time removing smoke from the building.

A total of 12 apartments sustained smoke and water damage. 

Two residents were evaluated at the scene by EMS but were not transported to the hospital. The American Red Cross responded to provide immediate housing assistance for three residents. The other affected residents found shelter for the night with family or friends.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Units from Ark City Fire/EMS, Burden Fire Department, and Udall Fire Department responded to assist.

There were a total of six fire apparatus and one ambulance with a total of 22 firefighters on scene. Winfield Police Department, Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, and City of Winfield Electric and Water Departments assisted at the scene as well.