HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to 17 East 2nd Street for a report of a fire on the 11th floor of Plaza Towers late Friday night.

Hutchinson fire crews were initially dispatched for a fire alarm at Plaza Towers. While en route, crews received additional information of a working fire on the 11th floor.

Crews quickly utilized the stairs to reach the 11th floor and encountered moderate smoke in the hallway on the 11th floor. Crews utilizing thermal imaging camera were then quickly able to locate the apartment on fire. Once inside the apartment of origin, crews encountered moderate to heavy smoke conditions with a fire on the stove that had extended to the kitchen cabinets.

One sprinkler head was activated and kept the fire in check. Additional crews worked to evacuate the immediate floors below and above the fire floor and to ventilate the building.

Many residents remained in the lobby on the first floor during the incident or sheltered in place. There are approximately 45 apartments being rented at this time in this 12-story building.

The fire started by the tenant turning on a kitchen stove burner which then ignited other material on the stove. This stove was turned on by the tenant in order to provide heat for the apartment. The tenant narrowly escaped the smoky conditions and was alerted by the sprinkler head water spraying him. The tenant had a difficult time locating the exit in the near zero visibility smoke conditions and barely escaped.

He was evaluated on scene by Reno County EMS and the Red Cross is providing assistance.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by Hutchinson Police Department, Reno County EMS, and the Red Cross.

The fire was reported just before midnight.