Two people rescued early Monday from burning house near downtown Topeka

Topeka fire crews rescued two people from a burning house that authorities said was intentionally set on fire early Monday on the south edge of downtown Topeka.

The blaze was reported around 6:20 a.m. at a two-story house at 1420 S. Kansas Avenue.

Topeka Fire Marshal Todd Harrison said first-arriving crews found smoke and flames coming from the two-story, wooden frame structure.

Topeka Fire Department Battalion Chief Stacy Howbert said at the scene that the blaze started on the back porch of the wooden-frame residence.

Crews made an offensive attack on the fire, keeping it confined to the house where the blaze started.

While conducting a primary search of the house, crews located two occupants inside the house. The two people were assisted outside of the house.

Topeka Fire Department Battalion Chief Stacy Howbert said firefighters made a quiick knock-down on the blaze.

Firefighters reported no stairway leading from the first to second floor inside the house.

Firefighters used a ladder to enter a second-floor window on the south side of the house to complete their search.

Though officials said the house was considered to be vacant, there were two people inside at the time of the blaze.

As crews fought the fire, S. Kansas Avenue was shut down to through-traffic between 17th and 14th streets.

A Topeka Fire Department investigator was on the scene to determine the cause of the blaze.

According to fire officials, the blaze was determined to be incendiary, or intentionally set.

The estimated dollar loss was $13,000, all of which was associated with the structure.

No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about the fire may call Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.