Man caught in last week’s garage fire has died
Sumner Newscow report —Wayne Bradford, who was caught in a structure fire on 406 S. Blaine in Wellington last Thursday evening has died according to a family source.
The family source said Bradford had died of smoke inhalation. He was transferred to Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita immediately that evening after suffering from smoke inhalation and burns after being caught in the fire in a detached garage for which he lived. For the past week, Bradford has been hooked to a ventilator and never came out of the coma.
The Wellington Fire Department responded to a Sumner County 911 call at 8:25 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18.
Upon arrival, the WFD found flames and heavy smoke coming from the garage. Firefighter began fire suppression when notified that an individual may be in the structure. Firefighters entered the structure and found one male, unconscious, who was dragged from the building and taken to St. Francis via Wellington Fire/EMS. He is listed in critical condition.
The family source said rescue workers speculated the way he was lying he thought he may have gotten overwhelmed by the smoke and couldn’t find himself out.
Firefighters also removed a dog from the structure that was given oxygen on the scene. The dog survived and was taken to a veterinarian by Wellington Police.
The cause of fire is still under investigation. The cause is now thought to be electrical. There was an estimated $10,000 to structure and contents. There were 24 personnel on the scene that included three fire engines, one ladder, two ambulances and three pickups. Oxford, Belle Plaine and Mayfield Fire Departments provided mutual aid.
Other agencies assisting included: Wellington Police, Sumner County Sheriff, Wellington Electric and Sumner County Emergency Management.
