OSAWATOMIE — Osawatomie city officials and firefighters hosted a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday evening for those who were temporarily homeless after a Tuesday night fire that forced the evacuation of residents at Osawatomie Court, a senior apartment complex. The blaze, which was reported at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday, displaced 46 residents, but no one was injured. Most residents were scheduled to be allowed to move back into their apartments this afternoon after repairs and recertification of safety equipment, according to city manager Don Cawby. Tuesday’s fire began in the kitchen area of a second-floor apartment in the east wing of the complex. Within minutes, Osawatomie police officers arrived, and extinguished the fire on the cooktop. Local firefighters, who were also on the scene, found the fire had spread into the wall. Black smoke could be seen coming from the roof of the building. Osawatomie Fire Chief Brian Love called for a total evacuation of the building, and requested additional resources, including assistance from the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, the Paola and Fontana fire departments and three school buses to help with evacuation efforts. Medical staff from Life Care Center of Osawatomie was also asked to respond to the city auditorium to help residents being transported there. Officials said four units were extensively damaged and could take some time before they can be occupied. The entire east portion of the building has some degree of water damage, Love said, adding the entire building received smoke damage.
Monday, Nov. 27, 3:30 p.m.
