**UPDATE: 12:20pm The victim in the fire has been identified as 61-year-old Edward Escolas of Altamont. The Kansas State Fire Marshal and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation have been called in to assist in the investigation.
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** UPDATE: 9:20am -- Reports indicate that fire crews from Coffeyville, Edna, Bartlett, Parsons, Mound Valley, Chetopa, Oswego, and Columbus responded to the fire. The K-State Wildcat District Extension Office has also posted on their Facebook page that their Altamont Office located at 524 Huston Street will be closed until further notice. One fatality has been reported.
Photo by Melvin Dowty
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Breaking news this morning from the City of Altamont
Early morning reports indicate a large structure fire overnight in the City of Altamont.
Huston Avenue between 5th and 6th Streets in downtown Altamont was closed as of 5am today. The Labette County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that emergency crews had the area blocked off and restricted. Drivers are advised to avoid the area. So far, there has been no information released as to the extent of the damage or if there were any injuries. Altamont Police and Fire would only confirm that crews were dispatched to the area.
The City of Altamont also advises citizens that the fire response may also mean that residents may experience little to no water this morning. Residents are asked to limit water use at this time.
This is a breaking news story and more details will be provided as they are released.
