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NEWS AND EVENTS Fire damages county building Fire caused significant damage to a 232-bed residential corrections facility under construction at New Century AirCenter on April 4. The facility is part of an $11.5 million complex that was expected to open in June. Captain Kirk Keller, of Johnson County Fire District No. 1 said the blaze appeared to be the result of insulation igniting during construction. A construction worker on the scene who had helped construct the roof said a spark from welder's torch set the fire. The worker said he could smell something burning for at least a half hour before the fire became visible. He said the insulation used in construction is fire resistant but not fire proof. The worker also said the roof was constructed in such a way to allow ventilation to keep shingles from getting too hot. He said that kind of construction, also made it easier for the fire to spread throughout the insulation. Keller said the fire was reported at about 12:30 p.m. and firefighters still were on the scene the following day. Windy conditions hampered efforts to bring the fire under control. "The roof construction in conjunction with high winds made it a very difficult fire to fight," Keller said. Seven agencies responded to the fire and four ladder trucks were in operation at one time. No damage estimate was available at press time, but Keller said it is "significant." "The entire roof structure will have to be replaced and there is extensive water damage to the interior," he said. The Department of Corrections Adult Residential Centers are minimum security detention facilities that serve to reintegrate clients into the community as successful, productive citizens.
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