Basement

Dehumidifiers come in handy this time of the year, when rainy weather leads to damp, moldy basements. For a large basement, Consumer Reports recommends a large- capacity dehumidifier. Testers found that large-capacity dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than medium-capacity dehumidifiers, and they will cost you less per pint of water removed. That's important because dehumidifiers use a lot of energy. Testers also check how accurately dehumidifiers control the humidity in the room.

Wichita police say a man was beaten over the head during a robbery early last week and found Saturday morning in his basement. The man, who lives in the 5700 block of E. Central, told police two people robbed him on Tuesday and knocked him unconscious. He'd been in his basement with head injuries until police found him Saturday, and he was transported to Wesley Medical Center. The search for the man began Saturday morning when an officer with the Maize Police Department found his car in the 4600 block of N. Maize Road.

As soon as the sirens sounded Wednesday night hundreds were told to take shelter in the basement of Century II. The sirens sounded just before 7:00 p.m. forcing organizers to shut down events including the Cajun Food Fest. Organizers used megaphones to tell festival goers to head to the basement where many of them remained for the next couple hours. People Eyewitness News spoke with say that everyone followed orders and did what they were told. Hundreds of people were running to their cars in the pouring rain as soon as organizers gave the all clear.

Fire damages a building in downtown Wichita. The fire broke out in the basement of the 20th Century Building at Central & Broadway. Fire officials say it started in the floor space above the ceiling of the basement. That fire could have spread quickly, but water pipes in the same space burst, putting a majority of the fire out. Firefighters spent part of Friday morning putting out hotspots. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Investigators are trying to figure out what started a fire at a vacant farm house. The fire started around 7:30 Tuesday night near 37th and Greenwich. The roof collapsed and the fire burned through to the basement. No one was hurt.

by Denise Hnytka (HALSTEAD, Kan) Who doesn't want to say they have a job they truly love? Nathan Nordstedt can. It's something he feels every day, even when those work days are twelve hours long. "Seeing your hard work is instant gratification," said Nordstedt. "With plants, the possibilities are endless. I love it when my possibilities are endless. I have no where to go but up. " At seventeen years old, he's higher up than many people twice his age. He's the owner of his own business, Countryside Plants.

Fire investigators released the name of the man who died in a house fire last week.  They found 57-year-old William Wallace in the basement of the burned home.  They say Wallace was basically homeless, likley living in the basement. Fire investigators say at one time Wallace lived in the house on south Mosley, but was evicted about six months ago.  There were no utilities hooked up to the home.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.   Witnesses told authorities there was a green sedan parked in front of the home shortly before the fire.  Fire investigators would like to talk with the driver of that car.  They hope the person will have more information about what possibly happened.

Wichita police arrest a burglary suspect after he returns to the scene of the crime riding a bicycle. Around 6:00 Friday morning, police say a family was asleep in their home in the 2100 block of E. 9th when a man broke in a basement window. "I was looking through this window right here, and he was coming out of here and then ran that way," said victim Abel Madrgal. Madrgal says his family work up as the man rummaged through the home's basement and garage. The suspect didn't take anything from the basement.

By Tracy Crockett (CHAPMAN, Kan.) They know the importance of a basement better than almost anyone. It's where many people who live in Chapman rode out an E-F-3 tornado. The twister destroyed much of the town last month. Now, those looking to rebuild are told they can't have a basement. Certified Flood Plain Manager Steve Higgins has set up a temporary office in the Chapman Library.  That's because 95-percent of the damage from the tornado on June 11th is in a flood plain, creating lots of problems.

Fire investigators want to know what sparked an overnight house fire in Northeast Wichita.  Crews were called to the home on Farmstead near 21st and Woodlawn around 10:30 Wednesday. They found a fire that started in the basement and worked its way up near the attic. Firefighters were able to make quick work of the fire. No one was home at the time of the fire. No one was hurt. Scene Video House fire on Farmstead

Wichita police arrest a burglary suspect after he returns to the scene of the crime riding a bicycle. Around 6:00 Friday morning, police say a family was asleep in their home in the 2100 block of E. 9th when a man broke in a basement window. "I was looking through this window right here, and he was coming out of here and then ran that way," said victim Abel Madrgal. Madrgal says his family work up as the man rummaged through the home's basement and garage. The suspect didn't take anything from the basement.

Fire crews respond to a Derby home after what appears to have been a small explosion. It happened in the 11000 block of E. Fireside before 3 p.m. That's off of Patriot Ave., east of Rock Rd. Three adults and a child were home at the time. They all got out of the home safely before crews arrived and no one was hurt. The fire caused extensive damage to the basement. Bedrooms and the home's roof were also damaged. There was no immediate estimate for the cost of repairs. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Fire investigators want to know what sparked an overnight house fire in Northeast Wichita.  Crews were called to the home on Farmstead near 21st and Woodlawn around 10:30 Wednesday. They found a fire that started in the basement and worked its way up near the attic. Firefighters were able to make quick work of the fire. No one was home at the time of the fire. No one was hurt. Scene Video House fire on Farmstead

Dehumidifiers come in handy this time of the year, when rainy weather leads to damp, moldy basements. For a large basement, Consumer Reports recommends a large- capacity dehumidifier. Testers found that large-capacity dehumidifiers are generally more energy-efficient than medium-capacity dehumidifiers, and they will cost you less per pint of water removed. That's important because dehumidifiers use a lot of energy. Testers also check how accurately dehumidifiers control the humidity in the room.

Wichita Police call it an "unusual" crime trend.  Twice this week, burglars have broken into homes, committed burglaries, and then started fires. Investigators say there are similarities, between the incident Tuesday morning on S. Stoneybrook and the one Wednesday night on N. North Shore, but they can't say for certain the cases are connected.  "It's curious, but not unheard of," said Wichita Fire Investigator Stuart Bevis of the cases.  Bevis noted there are also dissimilarities between the incidents.  The burglary fires happened on opposite sides of town at opposite times of day, Bevis said.  The points of entry were opposite as well, with the Stoneybrook thief entering the front door and the other arsonist prying open a basement walk-out door.  Photos: Fire on Northshore "I feel like I'm homeless right now," said Quyen Nguyen, owner of the home at 1215 N. North North Shore.  Standing in the charred remains of his living room, Nguyen said the thief stole cash, jewelry and small electronics.

Fire investigators released the name of the man who died in a house fire last week.  They found 57-year-old William Wallace in the basement of the burned home.  They say Wallace was basically homeless, likley living in the basement. Fire investigators say at one time Wallace lived in the house on south Mosley, but was evicted about six months ago.  There were no utilities hooked up to the home.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.   Witnesses told authorities there was a green sedan parked in front of the home shortly before the fire.  Fire investigators would like to talk with the driver of that car.  They hope the person will have more information about what possibly happened.

No problems for 35 years and suddenly Harry Neel's house starts to crack. "The reason we kind of discovered it, the back door wouldn't shut real easy and we realized we were having problems with shifting," Neel says. The shifting of the foundation quickly caused cracks in the ceiling and walls of the basement.  Wayne Briggs of Briggs Basement and Foundation Repair says the damage is due to the forces of nature--namely the recent drought. "This is one of our busiest years ever," Briggs says.  "Drought, dryness in the ground, the ground shrinks and settles causing the house to go down.

As soon as the sirens sounded Wednesday night hundreds were told to take shelter in the basement of Century II. The sirens sounded just before 7:00 p.m. forcing organizers to shut down events including the Cajun Food Fest. Organizers used megaphones to tell festival goers to head to the basement where many of them remained for the next couple hours. People Eyewitness News spoke with say that everyone followed orders and did what they were told. Hundreds of people were running to their cars in the pouring rain as soon as organizers gave the all clear.

Investigators are trying to figure out what started a fire at a vacant farm house. The fire started around 7:30 Tuesday night near 37th and Greenwich. The roof collapsed and the fire burned through to the basement. No one was hurt.

Fire damages a building in downtown Wichita. The fire broke out in the basement of the 20th Century Building at Central & Broadway. Fire officials say it started in the floor space above the ceiling of the basement. That fire could have spread quickly, but water pipes in the same space burst, putting a majority of the fire out. Firefighters spent part of Friday morning putting out hotspots. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.