A fire destroyed a workshop at a rural residence west of Paola on Sunday, April 23rd, but no injuries were reported. Paola Fire Chief, Andy Martin says firefighters were called to 31319 Bethel Church Road, south of 311th street at 12:12 Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival, they found the workshop was engulfed in flames. Paola firefighters received assistance from the Osawatomie, Fontana and Wellsville Fire Departments, which each sent water tenders and engine crews. The fire was under control in about a half hour. Martin says the workshop was a total loss, including its contents of tools and machinery, and radiant heat also damaged the vinyl siding of a nearby home.
The exact cause could not be determined due to the extent of the damage, but Martin says investigators were looking into an electrical issue with a charger.
