Hays Post

HAYS  – One person is dead following a fire at a Hays apartment complex on New Year’s Day.

According to the Hays Fire Department, crews were dispatched to 2704 Epworth at 6:35 p.m. to reports of a fire. The Ellis County Rural Fire Department was called to assist.

On arrival, firefighters found an apartment on fire in an eight-unit apartment building.

Firefighters, assisted by police officers, rescued two victims from the burning apartment. Ellis County EMS paramedics treated and transported both victims to Hays Medical Center. One of the victims — a 56-year-old female — reportedly was fatally injured in the fire, according to the Hays Police Department. The identity of the victim was not released.

The fire caused heavy damage to one apartment, and three other apartments suffered smoke damage.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Hays Police Department, assisted by the Hays Fire Department and the Kansas State Fire Marshal. Further information will be released by the Hays Police Department.

The Ellis County emergency manager coordinated relief services for the displaced tenants with the Western Kansas Chapter of the Red Cross.

Six fire trucks and 22 firefighters responded. The last fire crew left the scene at about 8:45 p.m.