KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - Wilson Fire Destroys More Than Buildings
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Courtesy: Carolyn Nondorf
Aftermath of Wilson Opera House fire. (Brian Koetkemeyer)
By Melody Pettit (WILSON, Kan.)
Home footage taken by the Wilson Police Chief shows orange and red flames shooting out of a car repair shop. Officials say that's where the fire started.
"I was sleeping with my window open and suddenly if was full of smoke. I thought it was my house at first," said Wilson resident Brian Koetkemeyer.
A dozen different fire agencies responded and within three hours they had the flames under control. The Wilson Fire Chief says this is the worst fire he's ever had to fight.
"The worst and the scariest," said Fire Chief Gary Everett.
There's nothing left of the garage where the fire started. A doctor's office is also destroyed, along with the historic Opera House, built in 1901.
"It hurts to lose this, it was a focal point of our town," said long time resident Ruddy Holk.
The Opera House was the center of the Czech capital of Kansas. In the basement, the Wilson City Museum filled with thousands of pictures, important documents and genealogy of the town.
"It's all gone. The record of our history all gone. It's very emotional," said Diane Wagner.
Fire officials say a fire of this magnitude will take all day to monitor, looking for hotspots. As for the buildings, they'll have to be torn down.
An official from the State Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire; early reports say it might have been electrical. Officials do not suspect arson.
The Wilson Czech Opera House was built in 1901.
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If you have pictures from the fire, send them to stormshots@kwch.com.
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