HUTCHINSON, Kan. – If you saw a lot of smoke north of the city Sunday afternoon, what you were seeing was smoke from a large grass fire in Rice County.

Even the Hutchinson Fire Department responded with three fire units and one staff unit as a mutual aid request from Rice County for the grass fire in the area of Ave V and 26th.

A few units remained on scene overnight to assist with overhaul procedures. No injuries reported.

Also, fire units responded to the 1200 block of North Severance for a minor balcony fire.

Arriving units found the second story apartment balcony still smoldering after some tenants attempted to extinguish prior to fire department arrival. Damage was estimated at $1000.00 with careless smoking as the cause. Units remained on scene briefly to perform minor overhaul operations.

That occurring around 7:40 p.m.