Cause of house fire is still unknown

It took until 1:30 a.m. Friday to get a fire at 524 S. Osbun under control, Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said. The blaze was called in a little after 6 p.m. Thursday and heavily damaged the home of Joe Hart and his family.

Ballou said the upper floor of the west part of the residence suffered significant damage, as did the roof, part of which collapsed. Firefighters believe the fire started in the attic area where a lot of household items were stored.

A cause has not yet been determined, he said. "We're still looking at some things and with the kind of damage (that occurred), we're not sure we're going to find an exact cause," Ballou said.

Responding to the blaze were 15 firefighters from the city and Scott Township. Ballou said the Kansas State Fire Marshal was called in to help determine the cause of the fire.

Additionally, he said three fire hydrants were hooked up and 4,000-5,000 feet of hose used.