TOPEKA (KSNT) – A City of Topeka official is releasing new information Tuesday in the aftermath of a Labor Day fire that claimed the life of a child and injured several people, including three first responders.
Kimberly Qualls with the City of Topeka told 27 News that one firefighter and two police officers, Adalberto Sanchez and Matthew Seastrom, have returned to work on Sept. 8. This comes after they sustained injuries while responding to a deadly north Topeka fire.
Both Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo and Topeka Fire Chief Chad Longstaff issued statements about the fire, noting that several people assisted first responders during the fire situation.
“In the most difficult moments, the strength of our community is often demonstrated by those who step forward to help others,” Longstaff said. “I want to personally thank TPD Officers Adalberto Sanchez and Matthew Seastrom, along with civilians Chad Coleman, Christine Rancour and Kevin Williams, for their courageous actions during this devastating fire. Their willingness to act without hesitation and assist with rescue efforts exemplifies the very best of public service and our Topeka community.”
“I am extremely proud of TPD Officers Adalberto Sanchez and Matthew Seastrom for their actions during this tragic incident,” Vallejo said. “Our officers are trained to respond when lives are in danger, and these officers demonstrated courage, compassion and a commitment to protecting others when it mattered most. Their actions reflect the dedication to service that we expect from the men and women of the Topeka Police Department.”
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Qualls said the name of the person who died as a result of the fire will not be released at this time. She also said she is unable to provide additional information about the condition of the other fire victims, citing medical privacy concerns.
Fire crews and other first responders received reports of a residence on fire around 4 a.m. on Sept. 7 in the 100 block of Northeast Coachlight Drive. Emergency workers arriving at the scene found one residence on fire and began putting out the flames.
First responders declared one person, a child, dead at the scene. Medical personnel treated three other people from the home for injuries sustained during the fire, later transporting two of them to a nearby hospital for care of life-threatening injuries.
Two Topeka police officers, a firefighter and a bystander also sustained non-life-threatening injuries while responding to the fire. Investigators said an accident involving an electrical failure was likely the cause of the fire.
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(Photo By: Isabella Cahill)
(Photo By: Isabella Cahill)
(Photo By: Isabella Cahill)
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