NEWTON, Kan. (AP) Authorities have identified a 63-year-old man who died in an apartment fire in Newton.
Newton police say Bruce Rempel died Tuesday night after a fire broke out in his apartment. According to Lt. Bryan Hall, police responded to a report of smoke in the apartment and were told there was a man inside. Police say they tried to rescue Rempel, but were pushed back by heavy smoke and flame when they opened his door.
When fire crews arrived they found flames coming from a sixth-floor window and evacuated residents from the top three floors of the seven-story building. Two people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Newton Fire Chief Mark Willis says the fire was contained to Rempel’s apartment, but other apartments sustained smoke and water damage.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
