Newkirk and Blackwell firefighters assist Cowley County fire crews

COWLEY COUNTY — Newkirk and Blackwell firefighters traveled to Cowley County wednesday to assist Kansas firefighters from Arkansas City, Winfield, Udall and South Haven with a structure fire.

At 7:08 a.m. Arkansas City firefighters responded to a fire reported on the southwest side of Cowley County on 11th Road.

Upon arrivial, the Engine 51 crew found large amounts of smoke and flames coming from the structure. 

Ark City’s Engine 52 responded from a structure fire that they were assisting Winfield firefighters with that was reported at 5:44 a.m. 

Newkirk Fire chief Adam Longcrier said Newkirk got the request to assist at 7:53 a.m. 

“We sent a tanker and two firefighters,” said Longcrier. They got back to the station around 11 a.m.

Cowley authorities report that the homeowners and their pets are safe and that the cause of the fire is believed to be an electric heater placed in a dog house.

Longcrier said Newkirk fire and Arkansas City fire have entered into a new mutual aid agreement.

“We haven’t had that in a long time and we are happy to help.”