(HUTCHINSON, Kan.) — Investigators say a grass fire is responsible for one of two separate fires that destroyed two Hutchinson homes Tuesday.
The Hutchinson Fire Department says ornamental pampas grass caught fire at a home in the 100 block of east 12th Tuesday afternoon. The fire spread from the grass to the home, and destroyed the home. Investigators value the loss at $150,000. They do now know what caused the grass to catch fire.
Investigators still have not determined the cause of a fire Tuesday morning that destroyed a home in the 800 block of north Walnut. A man inside that home, which had been converted to apartments, jumped from a second floor window to escape the flames. Investigators say he broke both his legs.
Investigators say they are still interviewing witnesses as they try to determine what started the fire near 8th and Walnut. They estimated the dollar loss from that fire in the $70,000 to $80,000 range.
